Two of my cousins were murdered.. it's made me realise just how fragile life can be

By Beth Neil 20/11/2009

EXCLUSIVE: DAVID HAYE THE INTERVIEW: DAY 1

You don't get to be heavyweight champion of the world without steely resolution, a hunger for success and an appetite for hard graft.

But terrible tragedy has also fuelled David Haye's desire to seize life's opportunities - in particular, the brutal murders of two young cousins he was very close to.

Here, in an exclusive interview, Britain's latest boxing superstar reveals how that grief helped spur him on to conquer the world.

Opening his heart for the first time about the horrifying deaths, David tells of the impact the tragedies had on him, both personally and professionally.

Romeo Haye, the 19-yearold son of his uncle Winston, was gunned down in the street four months ago - an innocent victim of a random attack.

And two years ago his auntie Joyce was left grieving for her 22-year-old son Leon. He disturbed a burglary at his home and had his throat cut.

The men, both on his father's side of the family, died in Jamaica, but they were raised in London and David was close to them when they were younger.

Today, Leon and Romeo are never very far from his thoughts.

David, 29, says: "They were both great lads and the innocent victims of circumstance.

"Leon and Romeo were taken from us too soon but, sadly, Jamaica is a country where things like that happen.

ACHIEVE

"I was close to Leon when we were younger and before he moved to Jamaica. I saw Romeo a couple of years ago when I was over there.

"But until someone close to you dies it's easy to take your family for granted. It makes you realise just how fragile life is. You never know when you're going to check out.

"It's definitely made me even more determined to achieve as much as I can as quickly as possible.

"There are no guarantees in life. And, more importantly, you've got to treasure every moment you have with your family.

"I appreciate that more than ever now. And even though I have big work commitments, I spend as much quality time with my friends and family as I can."

Being married to Natasha and dad to their 19-month-old son Cassius is also helping to keep David grounded as fame and fortune come calling. Since his historic points win over Russian giant Nikolai Valuev a fortnight ago, the boy from Bermondsey, nicknamed The Hayemaker, has become one of Britain's most famous sportsmen. He is also on the verge of becoming one of the richest.

David made a reported £5million from his Sky Box Office cut and experts predict he could command £20million more in endorsements and sponsorship deals.

All this before he's even finalised the details of a lucrative homecoming fight at London's O2 against unremarkable Puerto Rican-American John Ruiz next spring.

Victory then would pave the way for David to fight the Klitschko brothers, Wladimir and Vitali, for their heavyweight titles in Vegas.

It would also be a chance to earn a mind-boggling amount of money before he retires, as planned, at 31.

With all this going on you'd expect David to arrive for his interview with the Mirror with a fawning entourage. Instead he is alone, and dressed casually in a black jacket, white T-shirt, jeans, trainers and a beanie hat.

GLORY

He talks openly, honestly, with eloquence and charm. It's all rather refreshing - as is his insistence that it's not the money that drives him.

"It means nothing to me," says David. "Designer jeans and flash cars? I'm not interested.

I strive for the glory and achievement - always have done from day one.

totally way out of line eric. don't push it.

edited by champ4ever.

Sorry mate but who cares about boxers private lives, that is their business, i just want to know who they will fight next.

yeah i know, but show some respect. your post was rather classless.

What did he say ?

Probably something about Mundine.

I said something low about romeo, i said who cares about romeo if you must know

Me bad

Time for other topics i think

I agree, but in this case Haye is the one making it our business. Its not like it was something private that was reported in a shady way. Its Haye who is handing out the information, and not some reporter fishing through his garbage can.

But I understand what you mean about "private lives".