David Haye could have huge one-off MMA fight if he can avoid injuries, according to Michael ‘Venom’ Page
Bellator ace also rates Geordie Shore star Aaron Chalmers as a serious talent after he proved doubters wrong - again
DAVID HAYE should jump into an MMA cage for a one-off fight spectacular – if his body can handle it, according to his protege Michael "Venom" Page.
The 37-year-old Hayemaker announced his boxing retirement at the start of June after back-to-back losses to Tony Bellew.
The former unified cruiserweight king and WBA heavyweight champion has battled a range of injuries in recent years and could not recapture his old form.
But the South Londoner could still do a job in MMA, against a fellow striker like verbal sparring partner Jimi Manuwa, and Page says he should strike while the iron is still warm after the Floyd Mayweather vs Conor McGregor circus.
Page – who is competing in both codes under Bellator and Hayemaker – said: “Going from MMA to boxing is easier than doing it the other way around because there is more to learn.
“David has struggled with injuries towards the end of his career and grappling and wrestling cause more injuries than any striking training, you end up with multiple injuries.
“In my opinion, the reason David has retired from boxing is because of the stress he has to put his body under in camps, just to get to the fights.
“Being in the ring or the cage is the bit we enjoy, getting there is the hard part. He has probably said to himself ‘I cannot get through the camps that I need to get to the level I want to fight at’.
“But if you are talking about something in the mixed martial arts world – just a one-off fight – then why not.
“He could jump in there, create some numbers like Mayweather vs McGregor.”
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Another cross-over success story has been Geordie Shore star Aaron Chalmers, who has now racked up four MMA wins.
Page spent time with the reality TV star in the build-up to Bellator 200 in May – where they both secured wins – and he has been impressed with 31-year-old’s late-in-life career change.
Chalmers has been chasing a showdown with WWE icon CM Punk and is in a Twitter spat with Mike Jackson, who beat the wrestler last weekend.
And Page has been shocked by how well the Tyneside star has adapted to the sport, despite having to face plenty of resistance from trolls doubting his ability
Page said: “Chalmers has had no MMA background but he has taken it all so seriously. The first time I saw him with BAMMA you could see he was very comfortable under the lights.
“I have seen very senior fighters crumble under the lights and struggle in that scenario, he was so comfortable having people throwing punches and kicks at him.
“I said 100 per cent give this guy a chance, if you can fight, you can fight, the UK should get right behind him until he gives you a reason not to.
“But so many people want to do it the other way round and hate first and then jump on the bandwagon and that is wrong.”
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