David Haye secured the second victory of his comeback with a routine second-round knockout of Arnold Gjergjaj at London's 02 Arena.

The heavyweight, fighting for the second time in five months after a three-and-a-half-year layoff with a career-threatening shoulder injury, provided another demonstration of his power one minute and 35 seconds into the second, securing the 26th stoppage of his career.

Kosovo-Albanian Gjergjaj had already twice hit the canvas and was a tiring figure appearing to want a way out when falling for a third time from another right hand at the end of a hurtful barrage. Victory clears Haye's path to the fight he wants with veteran American Shannon Briggs later this year.

He is expected to next fight the 44-year-old Briggs, who in a farcically one-sided affair earlier stopped Argentina's Emilio Ezequiel Zarate in less than a round.

Thereafter, having worked out the ring-rust remaining from his lay-off, he will hope to tempt IBF titlist Anthony Joshua, or WBA and WBO champion Tyson Fury, into the biggest fights this side of the Atlantic. His selection of a taller opponent ensured that is little secret.

Haye spoke afterwards of the satisfaction he took from victory, before claiming he agreed to next fight Briggs when the American began pursuing him at his relatives' homes.

"I used to find it hilarious when he was chasing Wladimir Klitschko around," said Haye, who has won each of his two fights under new trainer Shane McGuigan.

"Then he was doing it to (WBC heavyweight champion) Deontay Wilder, I thought it was really funny. Then he started doing it to me and it really wasn't funny at all.

"He was banging on the gym door, knocking on family member's doors. People telling me 'This guy's trying to find you, he's going to come here'. 'I'll have to fight this guy now'.

"He turned up at my uncle's house, banging on the door: I've got no clue. He was just like 'Well he's not here, mate'. He just said 'That nutcase turned up, banging on the door, screaming let's go champ'. He was actually staying in Bermondsey, on Long Lane, where I grew up.

"He's a former heavyweight champion, a bit old, but he can fight a bit. He punches hard: let's get it on."

Asked of the presence of Jose Mourinho, who was ringside but refused to comment when asked if he was set to join Manchester United, Haye said: "I didn't get a chance to see him, I think he's at the after party so I'll probably catch up with him there.

"He's a big boxing fan, I saw him at the (Anthony) Joshua fight a couple of months back. He's a big fight fan, and I think came with his family. It's nice to see big names, important people there ringside, enjoying boxing."