David Haye becomes rival Dereck Chisora’s new manager despite brawls and Upton Park grudge match

DAVID HAYE has become the new manager of ex-rival Dereck Chisora in a shock move, it was announced this morning.

The two heavyweights were fierce opponents back in 2012 when they met at West Ham's Upton Park stadium in an all-British showdown.

Ex-WBA champion Haye knocked Chisora out in the fifth-round of the 40,000 sold-out arena, all-but ending their bitter feud.

And now the retired Haymaker has signed the 34-year-old up to his promotional company, as negotiations over a Dillian Whyte rematch continue.

Haye said: "This is a project. A tough project, and one that I had to think long and hard about.

"I had to think: 'do I want this task?' No disrespect but Dereck is not the easiest to work with. I am positive he can get results.

"He hasn't fulfilled his potential yet. Imagine if he goes into a fight in prime condition. Imagine if he stands on the scales and you see someone that you've never seen before.

"He needs his food cooked, to rest during the day, to be in a real camp. Give it nine or 10 weeks and you will see something special."

Chisora, 34 - who recently knocked-out Carlos Takam in July - revealed the pair agreed to the partnership after having lunch.

He added: "We had lunch. We spoke. He played hard to get! He said: 'let me think about it' but he was already hooked.

"He said: 'let's do it'. "Every time I have lost, I have rebuilt myself.

"I saw how David did it for himself and I want to do it myself."