Kylie's Champion

Kylie Minogue is growing increasingly close to Britain's rising boxing star David Haye, reports The People.

Kylie, 38, has turned to the European cruiserweight champ after her split with actor Olivier Martinez, 41.

David, 26, said, "Yes, we are close friends."

The pair have spent hours on the phone talking about Kylies' split from Martinez, shared intimate dates at trendy London restaurants, swapped gifts as a sign of their close bond with each other and discussed Kylie's future career hopes. Kylie has told friends that David has been her "rock" since her split Martinez last month.

A source close to the singer said: "Kylie was heartbroken over Olivier... David has been there for her 100 per cent, he has taken her out and cheered her up when she has been feeling down."

David who has 17 knockout wins, struck up a friendship with Kylie when they began training at the same gym in London.

Kylie also went to support him on one of his fights.

Our source said: "She wouldn't have missed it for the world and it meant a lot to David that she was there, even though he suffered the only defeat of his professional career."

He offered the singer support, when she was diagnosed with cancer and received treatment in Australia. When Kylie returned to London last summer after receiving the all-clear, David helped re-build her stamina for her re-scheduled Showgirl tour.

Our source said: "Kylie drew great strength out the support she received from David inside the gymnasium. When she first decided to get back on stage, Kylie knew she had a mountain to climb. But thanks to David and Gary [her trainer] she was fighting fit in no time at all."

"It could have been a very traumatic time for her but David made it fun. He even had a few play fights with her as she became stronger. You would often see David and Kylie sparring in the ring while they trained together in the gym. It's not hard to see how the bond grew between the pair of them. There's a real emotional bond."

Another source said: "Kylie and David met for coffee together in the last fortnight in west London. They deliberately avoided the more obvious spots and went to a discreet coffee bar."

A source close to David - who has also been a model for Versace and Abercrombie and Fitch - told The People, "David might look like a real tough nut but outside the ring he is a lovely, compassionate guy. All the girls love him - he is the boxing world's heart-throb. Kylie still feels fragile after her split with Martinez and having a laugh with David has been just what she needed."