Boxing Quotes: David Haye

All British eyes will be on David Haye, the European cruiserweight champion, when he’s step into the ring for the right to challenge the number one cruiserweight in the world O’Neil Bell.

With 2006 drawing to a close and most British people feeling down with the England football team’s performance in this year’s world cup, the rugby’s team performances since winning the world cup New Zealand and the cricket team’s performances in recent overseas tours. Even though boxing still produces world champions, the sport is still looking for a new golden boy. Haye is determined to be that boy so he can bring the glory days back to British shores and boxing back to the top. Haye knows nothing less then a compelling victory over his former amateur adversary Giacobbe Fragomeni on November 17 at York Hall, East London will convince people he is the man to take British boxing into 2007.

Haye is being tipped by many boxing insiders as being the man who could carry the title of Britain’s new golden boy of British boxing. Having spent the last 10 weeks training in his London based gym under the watchful eye of trainer/manager Adam Booth, Haye is fully aware of the need to deliver a performance that will capture the public’s imagination and the belief that he can go all the way.

On a break from his training regime, David said recently “I’m really looking forward to November 17 and returning to the spiritual home of British Boxing at York Hall, Bethnal Green, so I can put the record straight against Fragomeni, who I lost to as an amateur. I still feel that’s a fight I won and this time it won’t be left to the judges, I’m planning a knock out victory. Fragomeni is saying he hopes to emulate the Italian football team and their world cup victory, well I just hope he’s ready for his first defeat at the York Hall on judgement day.”

“I know that I’m carrying the future of British boxing in my fists and once I become world champion at cruiserweight and make a few defences, I will look to step up against the real big men and follow in the footsteps of Evander Holyfield, one of the true modern day greats.”

“I know this is a big responsibility for me, walking in the footsteps of John Conteh, Nigel Benn, Chris Eubank, Naseem Hamed, Lennox Lewis and the like, but I’m determined to grab my opportunity. I love the big time and why not?” explains David. “Yes, I know Joe Calzaghe and Ricky Hatton have both been making noise in recent fights, but their time is limited, whilst my time has only just begun. It’s my time to shine and everybody will soon be hearing the name of David D Haye. I know what the public and media expect of me and I’m determined to deliver”

But first Haye needs to get past Milan based Fragomeni in what will be the third defence of his title and more importantly the WBC final eliminator for the right to meet the number one cruiserweight champion of the world O’Neil Bell.

Promoter Frank Maloney certainly agrees that David Haye could be the saviour of British boxing “You only have to see the way he markets himself and his website www.myspace.com/davidhaye.

Also on the undercard is unbeaten hot prospect Anthony Small, who looks to carry on making an impression in the glamorous light-middleweight division. Akash Bhatia, the only licensed Sikh professional boxer and a whole host of other young fighters looking to develop their skills on this SKY televised bill.

Tickets are on sale through the Box Office 0871 226 1508 or online at www.frankmaloney.com