MY MONEY DAVID HAYE
THE FORMER WORLD BOXING CHAMPION ON WHY HE IS NOW FIGHTING A PANDEMIC RATHER THAN RING RIVALS...
IN THE ring, he was nicknamed The Hayemaker, but David Haye, the former world heavyweight boxing champion, is now more of a money-maker. As an entrepreneur, David has a number of successful investments under his belt. Just as Covid hit the UK, he set up The Black Mask Company, which makes eco-friendly, reusable face masks.
What was your first job and pay packet?
My first job was working as a labourer on a building site when I was 16. I would treat it as an extra training session, running up and down flights of stairs loaded up with bricks. I can’t remember the pay packet, but it wouldn’t have been much.
Did you think boxing would be financially rewarding?
It didn’t cross my mind. At just four years of age, I told my mum I would be heavyweight champion of the world. Boxing was never about money. Growing up in a council flat as a kid, you’re relatively unaware of what else is out there. I just loved boxing. Perhaps that’s the key: pursue what you love, rather than chase money, and the rest will come.
What was the first extravagant thing you bought yourself?
It was a Range Rover for about £55,000 – it was my very first car at 23 and I bought it before I even had my licence. I got straight to work splashing out on kitting it out with custom wheels, a new sound system and colour-coding the whole car – basically wasting money on it. That was a pretty excessive gift to myself as a young guy who had just turned professional and couldn’t even drive.
What would you buy, money no object?
I’d buy a Caribbean island – the weather’s good, the vibes are nice, and I’d make boxing a national sport. It would be a Coronafree zone.
Any financial advice to pass on?
Look into the future as opposed to looking at right now – both for businesses ventures and your own personal finances – and identify gaps before someone else does. I put this theory into practice as the Covid pandemic started to rumble early this year. Though this was the first pandemic in the UK that our generation had experienced, I looked at those countries who have been hit by more recent pandemics to see how we could learn from them and adopt best practice. Vietnam was acknowledged as a global leader on how best to manage the virus’ spread. I partnered with a friend and local businessman in Vietnam and was able to bring to market a three-layer mask commissioned by the Vietnamese government for their police force, developing the design to meet the demand of the UK market. When the wearing of face coverings became mandatory in shops and on public transport, I was ready to launch The Black Mask Company.
What is the key to doing good business?
Getting involved in something that you enjoy and working with people who inspire you to continue to grow. Every day you should go to work doing something that stimulates you, challenges you and that you can see a bright future with. Get paid to play.
What has been your best investment?
The best bang-formy-buck investment was a platform called Syft – a recruitment platform I got into as a seed investor at a valuation of £1million. It launched in 2015, grew very quickly and sold to Indeed last year.
In which ways are business and boxing similar?
In boxing you come up against obstacles you need to overcome – mainly someone punching you in the face – and in business there are challenges you need to find a way around. The key is to maintain a cool, calm head and surround yourself with a good team. With both business and boxing, it’s also important to reflect and look back at what’s worked versus what hasn’t. You learn, and you go again.
What is the best feeling you’ve ever had in the ring?
There have been a few. Unifying the cruiserweight division against Enzo Maccarinelli at The O2 was an amazing night. But fulfilling my childhood promise to my mother that I would become heavyweight champion has to be up there, too.
Knockout punch or killer investment?
My knockout punch days are over so it’s got to be that killer investment.
theblackmaskcompany.com
Making Haye: The boxerturned-entrepreneur has set up his own face mask business