David Haye takes a trip to Senegal

David Haye can be seen going back to his African roots in Senegal in an exclusive 15-minute film launched today.

Produced by Andy Capper and Haye’s long-time friend, VBS and BBC war correspondent Ben Anderson, this latest episode of 'VBS Meets' premieres on April 1st on http://www.vbs.tv/ , and follows Haye as he travels around the Senegalese Capital Dakar.

“I first met David at my local college where I took up boxing and the only other kid big enough to spar with me was David Haye. He was 16, and he absolutely wiped the floor with me!” says Ben Anderson.

The camera follows the Bermondsey boxer as he spends an afternoon with the President, shows his support at the SOS Children’s Orphanage, and finally, a sombre day reflecting on the fate of his ancestors who were rounded up at the Goree Island slave house on the coast of Senegal. Here, ships would take the captives on a brutal three-month journey across the Atlantic to America or the West Indies where only one in six Africans would survive.

"Only the strongest survived this trip," Haye says. "They bred them like racehorses – super-slaves - and here I am, heavyweight champion of the world beating up the other guys. I guess you can call it payback!” (Er...not really - Ed.)

“Maybe that could be part of the reason why I'm big, strong, fast and healthy. Maybe something as tragic as this has led to me being the way I am today.”

Stopping off at the local boxing ring, the Hayemaker takes on some local boxers “It’s a toe-to-toe slugfest in here, but some of these guys have talent and raw ability to make it as professionals with the right training.”

Catch the latest episode of VBS Meets on April 1st at http://www.vbs.tv/ ahead of David’s defence of his heavyweight title against American John Ruiz at Manchester's MEN Arena on April 3rd.

(Here's a link to the live version: http://www.vbs.tv/watch/vbs-meets/david-haye)