David Haye had admitted that Anthony Joshua’s rapid improvement took him by surprise – but his comeback is now geared around re-establishing himself as Britain's top heavyweight.
During his four-year hiatus Haye watched Joshua's earliest knockouts but never foresaw a threat to his eventual comeback.
"Not really, I didn't see it for a long time, to be honest," Haye exclusively told Sky Sports about the possibility of one day fighting Joshua.
"I was positive that I wanted to make a comeback but nothing was 100 percent certain. His progression was really steep.
"It was only when he won the British title and started knocking on the world door that I thought 'this kid could be a contender when I come back'.
"He was already the world champion by the time that I did make my comeback.
"It was good to see his progression. In the time that I spent out of the ring, he's had pretty much his whole professional boxing career."
Haye must first get past Tony Bellew on March 4 before IBF champion Joshua meets the sternest opponent of his career in Wladimir Klitschko on April 29 in a pair of Sky Sports Box Office heavyweight fights.
But Londoner Haye, having failed to unify world heavyweight titles against Klitschko in 2011, is now targeting another opportunity to prove himself as the world's best.
"It's not a burning thing, it's just a goal that I've set myself to prove that I'm No 1," he said. "It was always my goal to be ranked No 1 in the heavyweight division and I had my chance to do that against Wladimir, but I failed and lost the fight on points.
"I'd like the opportunity to get into another big fight against a world champion who many people consider to be No 1. And beat him.
"The winner of Joshua and Klitschko, many people will consider that person to be the No 1 in the division. If they're No 1, I'd love the opportunity to test my skills against them.
"Big heavyweight fights. Big title showdowns, that's always been the plan."
David Haye vs Tony Bellew is on March 4 before Anthony Joshua vs Wladimir Klitschko on April 29, both live on Sky Sports Box Office.