Former heavyweight world champion David Haye to announce comeback fight on Tuesday

On Friday evening Haye, 35, revealed that he would be announcing his return to the ring at a press conference at the O2 Arena on Tuesday - with The Guardian subsequently reporting that the date and opponent for his next bout will be confirmed at the same time.

Haye last fought in July 2012, when he beat Dereck Chisora in a comfortable fifth round knock-out at Upton Park. His first fight back is unlikely to be against an opponent of similar pedigree, with the Bermondsey-born fighter likely to pick a more moderate foe as he looks to shake off the ring rust and resume his career.

The temptation behind Haye's return to the ring is not hard to guess - a few fights down the line match-ups against the likes of Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and even Wladimir Klitschko would be certain to garner a huge amount of attention, so long as Haye can prove he remains the sort of fighter who claimed the WBA heavyweight world title with a victory over Nikolai Valuev back in 2009.

The Guardian reports that Haye will be accompanied by Shane McGuigan at Tuesday's press conference, with the Irish trainer of Carl Frampton having succeeded Adam Booth as Haye's new coach.

On Thursday Booth, who now focuses his attention on the likes of George Groves and Chris Eubank Jr, wished Haye all the best for his return to the ring.

"David is a very smart, shrewd fellow and knows the decisions he makes. He has decided that now is the time to take the step," Booth told Sky Sports.

"He and I have a complete understanding of the fact that our working relationship ended a little while ago. I have too much on my plate now with the fighters I've got. I'm loving every day in the gym.

"I wish David all the best. People criticise him all the time but people will watch him because he's entertaining, value for money, exciting and very talented. Whether I'm in the corner or watching it, I'll be equally excited."

Eddie Hearn, Joshua's promoter, this week indicated that a possible all-English match-up between the two could eventually be on the cards.

"David’s bright, he knows what he’s doing and he knows the biggest fight out there for him is against Anthony Joshua," Hearn said, according to iFLtv.

“We, of course, are very excited about the potential of that fight. It’s going to be difficult for David to get back used to being at that level, getting hit on the chin, hard, when you’ve been out enjoying your life over the last two or three years, but he’s an exceptional talent, so it’s going to be interesting.”