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Heavyweight contender David Haye gym doors open to Hollywood this week, yet insists his mind remains focused on a June 29 clash with Manuel Charr in Manchester.
Actresses Michelle Rodriguez and Gina Carano, stars of Fast & Furious 6, visited the Vauxhall-based gymnasium while on a promotional tour and offered Haye a sample of an industry he has always viewed with fondness.
But Tinseltown can wait.
“It was great having two talented and beautiful movie stars at the gym for a couple of hours,” said the former WBA world heavyweight champion. “I’m a big fan of the Fast & Furious films, have watched every single one of them, and really enjoyed seeing the new one at Tuesday’s premiere.
“They’re my sort of films – loud, action-packed and over the top. They’re also good films to watch before you train as they get you pumped and ready to break things.
“I’ve made no secret of my desire to one day get involved in the film industry, but, with a fight on the horizon, I’m struggling to see anything but gloves, a ring and knockouts right now.
“Boxing is my specialist subject, my first love and something I have done since I was ten years of age. I have a lot more to offer the sport and have set myself new goals. Until I have achieved those goals, my dream of becoming an actor is well and truly on the back-burner.”
Of course, ‘The Hayemaker’ intends to be both fast and furious on Saturday, June 29, the night he swaps punches with proud Syrian Charr at the Manchester Arena, live on Sky Sports. And speed, he believes, will prove the difference when two world-ranked heavyweights lock horns.
“There is definitely a great emphasis on speed during this training camp, as I know it will be important in the fight,” admitted Haye. “I might not be the biggest heavyweight in the world, but I’m certainly the fastest – and that is one advantage I’ll always have over my opponents, especially now, as I enter my peak athletic years.
“Charr has never been knocked out or hurt in the ring, so can clearly take a shot, but his feet are slow and, like a lot of German-based heavyweights, he tends to fight at a leisurely pace and take turns to punch.
“There is nothing quick or explosive about the way he fights and he won’t have seen speed, reflexes and agility like mine. If you look at his previous opponents, none of them compare to me in terms of style. They were all happy to take turns to punch with Charr and fight at his tempo.
“He won’t be so lucky against me, though. When he covers up, I’ll tee off on him so quickly he’ll think he’s being surrounded, and then when he tries to punch in response, he’ll open the door for me to finish him off with something big and spectacular.
“The power of Vitali Klitschko couldn’t knock this guy out, so I know it will take more than just clubbing away with stiff punches to finish him. But it’s my aim to go one better than Vitali and end this fight with Charr flat on his back – just as I did with Dereck Chisora last year.”
Tickets for The Hayemaker is Back: Haye vs. Charr are now on sale and can be purchased by calling 0844 847 8000 or visiting www.eventim.co.uk
