David Haye returns to the boxing ring for the first time in over three and a half years when he fights Mark de Mori at London’s 02 Arena on Saturday night.

The heavyweight has made no secret of his desire to win another world title, to challenge WBO and WBA champion Tyson Fury and fight the promising Anthony Joshua, but in Australia’s De Mori he is returning against the most overmatched opponent of his professional career.

As is so often the case when a fighter makes his comeback, the outcome of Saturday night’s fight will be decided by how much Haye still has, as opposed to anything De Mori is likely to challenge him with.

Once the fastest and most mobile man in heavyweight boxing, shoulder surgery and a long break from action will surely have had a detrimental effect – not that you would know it to hear him speak.

“It’s the unknown because nobody knows what I’ve got left, except me,” he said. “I believe I know what I’ve got but until I get in the ring and prove it, it’s just me being confident. I’ve got everything I used to have and then some. I’ve got experience now.”

The reality is that even if Haye has significantly declined, it would come as a huge shock for De Mori to last anywhere near the scheduled 10 rounds.

Another interesting sub-plot is that Haye, formerly a protege of Adam Booth, will be coached by Shane McGuigan for the first time.

“He’s seven or eight years younger than me but you’d never know that,” Haye said. “I’ve been really impressed.”