After years of living under the spotlight for his thunderous punches and unforgettable nights in the boxing ring, David Haye is stepping into a completely new arena — Hollywood.
Seven years after retiring from boxing, the former heavyweight world champion is now setting his sights on the big screen.
The 44-year-old British boxing legend is gearing up for his acting debut in a short crime film called Under The Gun, which is scheduled to premiere next month.
It’s a bold transition, but for Haye, it’s not exactly out of the blue — acting, he says, has been a long-time dream.
A Lifelong Dream Coming to Life
Opening up about this new journey, David told The Sun that the experience of filming with director Charles Belleville and a talented cast and crew has been nothing short of a privilege.
“Acting is a discipline just like boxing — it demands total commitment and serious preparation,” he said.
He added that he hopes fans embrace his new role the way they supported his boxing career.
And he’s not doing this alone — he thanked his acting mentor and producer Alex Fidelski, and also showed appreciation for the British Urban Film Festival (BUFF), which is premiering his film.
Inside the Crime Drama That Marks His Debut
Under The Gun promises to dive deep into the gritty criminal world of London.
The film’s storyline follows two detectives who get entangled in a poker game with life-changing stakes.
David stars alongside seasoned actor Kevin McNally, known for his roles in Pirates of the Caribbean and The Crown.
The short film will be screened on June 25 at BUFF.
Acting Ambitions That Date Back Nearly a Decade
David’s interest in acting isn’t new. He first hinted at the idea as early as 2016, even before he had officially retired from boxing.
“When I retire in two or three years, I’d like to be an actor,” he once said.
“I want to reach the same heights in acting that I did in boxing — though I know that’s a tough goal. I’ll be starting from scratch.”
Despite the challenge, his passion for film never waned, and now he’s turning that ambition into action.
A Boxing Career Marked by Glory and Grit
David officially hung up his gloves in 2018 after two tough losses to rival Tony Bellew.
Those defeats ended his dream of reclaiming his world title, but his boxing legacy had already been firmly established.
Over a 16-year career, he racked up 32 professional fights and made history by unifying the cruiserweight division.
He later stepped up to claim the WBA heavyweight title, famously defeating the towering Russian boxer Nikolay Valuev in 2009.
Fighting Through Injuries and Setbacks
Although David’s early career was smooth sailing, the second half was plagued by injuries that constantly threatened to derail his momentum.
From a loss to Wladimir Klitschko in 2011 to cancelled fights with Tyson Fury and a ruptured Achilles against Bellew, his physical health often stood in the way of his ambitions.
“I would have loved to fight 16 more times in the second half of my career,” he once reflected.
“But my body only let me step into the ring seven times — four wins, three losses — and even getting to the ring became a battle.”
A Poignant Farewell to the Ring
After his final defeat in May 2018, David knew it was time.
“The boxing gods have spoken,” he admitted. “They won’t protect me with that freakish speed and power anymore.
Without those gifts, I lose my edge.”
He described that moment of truth with brutal honesty: “For fans, watching me must have felt like seeing a prized racehorse stumble out of the gate like a donkey.”
Still, he says he gave everything he had left and accepted that his time in the ring was over.
“I know that performance was the best I had left to give.”
A Message to the Fans Who Stuck With Him
In a heartfelt statement, David thanked his fans for riding through the highs and lows of his career.
“You clapped through my triumphs and stayed with me in the defeats,” he wrote.
“Your support meant everything, and I’ll never forget the great nights we shared.”
And while that part of his life is now behind him, David is clear — this isn’t the end of his story.
A New Journey Just Getting Started
For David Haye, retirement wasn’t the finish line — it was simply the start of a different kind of fight.
One that takes place on film sets rather than boxing rings, and one that still requires the same focus, discipline, and heart that brought him so much success in sports.
With his acting career finally taking off, it looks like the next chapter of David Haye’s story might be just as captivating as the last.