David Haye: I feel like Superman

BEAST - Nikolai Valuev

DAVID HAYE REVVED UP

Brit champ ready for showdown with the Klitschko brothers

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By STEVE LILLIS, 31/10/2009

DAVID HAYE will stare into the eyes of imposing Nikolai Valuev believing he has Superman's powers.

The Londoner will concede 100lb and 11 inches when he challenges for the Russian's WBA heavyweight title in Nuremberg on Saturday night.

But Haye is convinced Valuev won't have the Kryptonite fists to beat him.

Haye, 29, told Sport of the World: "You train your body not to get too excited until you're in the changing room warming up.

"You've got about two hours and you can build yourself up, gradually, until you walk out into the tunnel.

"Then you can hear the crowd and you can soak the atmosphere up, but as soon as you step through the ropes, the crowd disappear. You can't see anybody apart from your opponent across the ring and the referee.

"Then the focus is on, the heart is going, the adrenaline is pumping and you're ready to perform. My senses are heightened and I feel like Superman."

The former world cruiserweight champion has spent eight weeks holed up in London's Park Plaza hotel preparing for 'The Beast from the East' and following a strict 'no-sex' code.

Haye's only contact with wife Natasha and 18-month-old son Cassius at their Cyprus home has been by telephone and webcam.

The only company while he prepares for a giant slaying is a two-man entourage - trainer Adam Booth and 6ft 7in, 21st sparring partner Danny Watts.

One visitor before Haye flies to Germany on a budget airline tomorrow was Britain's best-ever heavyweight Lennox Lewis.

Former undisputed champion Lewis, who quit at the top five years ago, met Haye on Thursday to talk tactics and overcoming 7ft 2in Valuev, who has lost just once in 51 fights. Haye admits to being in awe of Lewis, and has given himself two years before retiring with a legacy to boast about.

Haye, beaten just once in 23 fights, said: "I always aim for the best and Lennox is by far and away the best heavyweight Britain has produced.

"I'll try to go out there and do a number on Valuev and the Klitschko brothers and hopefully some defences in the next couple of years.

"I'm not sure I can compete with Lennox's legacy - he beat Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield.

"As long as people mention me in the same breath as Lennox, I'll be happy.

"It is about longevity and consistence. Greatness is attributed to people after they have retired and people look back and soak in their achievements."

Valuev, 36, suffered his solitary defeat to Ruslan Chagaev and his most recent performances have been controversial points wins against John Ruiz and Holyfield.

Haye added: "No matter what he does, I'll have a way to beat him. No matter what he does I will have an answer. Whatever trick he has got, I'll have one up my sleeve ready to counteract his."

David and Goliath, Haye v Valuev will be live in HD on Sky Box Office. Call 08442 410 888 to order

Your comments

This article has 3 comments

...people that go on and on about the Thompson fight have no idea what they're talking about and I can only presume they haven't watched the fight.

For all Hayes first ten or so fights he knocked every fighter out in the first 3 -5 rounds or so with ease. Being the confident young man he was he then took on a fight with renowned veteran warrior Thompson. A very inexperienced, yet very confident young fighter, pushing himself way beyond any protected Frank Warren type junior.

For something like the first 4 or 5 rounds Haye battered the living daylights out of Thompson. However Haye had never mety anyone who could take his punches before and kept going for the KO - who wouldn't of he was landing at will more or less - and got utterly exhausted, he had landed blows that would have knocked out any other fighter for round after round... the thing is he didn't knock out thompson who was wily enough to soak this up and then beat haye.

It was Haye's inexperience that lost him that fight - in no way was it because he wasn't good enough to win... why people go on about what happened to an inexperienced fighter (at the time) that had the balls to step up several levels to try and prove himself to everyone and test himself to the full, not to mention that this fight happened something like FIVE years ago, is totally beyond me!

By Luke Brewer.. Posted November 3 2009 at 8:30 AM.

I agree with last comment , strictly on form and experience the fight can only have one outcome Valuev stops him. He shouldnt even be in the position to challenge for this.

By barry wilkinson.. Posted November 1 2009 at 1:23 PM.

Why does David Haye think hes another Cassius Clay?
Clay was a young kid when he beat Sonny Liston!
Haye is 29 and Haye got beat up by a 13 stone 41 year old Carl Thompson.
Even HAYES last 2 fights have been against shot boxers!!
David Haye is fighting this giant on the 7th Nov. BUT how can he believe that he his going to stop the giant?
When Carl Thomson at 41 exposed the Hayemaker.

By Steve Hughes.. Posted November 1 2009 at 11:41 AM.

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