The two heavyweights of, erm, British heavyweight boxing lock horns in Manchester on Saturday evening, with the WBA World Heavyweight title up for grabs. David “The Hayemaker” Haye and Audley “A-Force” Harrison have abided by the time-honoured boxing tradition of trash-talking each other in the build up to the fight, but the mind games are nearly over, the gloves are back on, and it’s nearly time for the two men to let their actions do the talking. Sport.co.uk previews the ‘Best of Enemies’ clash and puts five reasons forward for why each fighter will win it.
Check out why the A-Force has got it in the bag here, or read on for why David’s got what it takes…
(1) The Hayemaker
Countless opponents have walked onto one of the fiercest right hooks in the game. Monte Barrett was the first to feel the force of the upgraded Hayemaker in the heavyweight division – winning by TKO in the fifth. The previously immovable object that was Nikolai Valuev was shaken to the core. John Ruiz was brutally dismantled at the MEN in April, hitting the canvas four times before defeat by TKO in the ninth. Harrison may have the reach over Haye and has bloated his confidence with the ‘equaliser punch’ he floored Michael Sprott with last time out but Haye has been up against the ropes in fights previously and come back stronger. Haye only recently showed a glimmer of this ability with Sprott. When he comes face to fist with the Hayemaker he won’t be getting back up in a hurry.
(2) Pre-match hype will only hone Haye’s focus
He has the determination and belief to more than match Harrison. Audley may have fought on with a damaged shoulder when he eventually overcame Michael Sprott last time out but Haye can trump that. In his David and Goliath encounter with the mountainous Valuev, Haye broke bones in his right hand in the opening rounds yet maintained concentration and stuck to an intelligent game plan to overcome the most awkward of opponents with a majority points decision.
Furthermore, Haye has faced the proposition of a fight where it is widely regarded he “has it all to lose”. In another all-British bout in March 2008, Haye’s last fight at cruiserweight against the equally big-hitting Enzo Maccarinelli, his WBA, WBC and Ring belts were all at stake. Haye shrugged off the weight of expectation and channelled it into demolishing Maccarinelli in the second round by TKO, completing what he called the “final piece” in his cruiserweight jigsaw.
(3) Audley’s out of his element
Admittedly Harrison has earned this shot at the World Heavyweight Champion for claiming the European crown against Sprott. Yet one clean shot earned him that right in almost 12 rounds of boxing where he was utterly out thought, out jabbed, out hustled and out punched. At the pre-fight press conference Haye underlined how his cool and collected qualities will allow him to prevail over the hot-headed Harrison who he believes has “lost his marbles”.
“The reason why I am the heavyweight champion of the world,” Haye declared, “the reason why I was undisputed cruiserweight champion is because of the simple fact that I can keep my head.
"I can keep to a game plan, keep things on point - that's why I've been as successful as I've been. I don't think Audley can keep it together."
(4) Booth: Training has been so smooth
“This training camp is the best he’s ever had,” Haye’s trainer Adam Booth told Sky Sports. “The only time he's had an uninterrupted training camp was before the Enzo Maccarinelli fight.” Harrison may have escaped to America to train like Rocky, been sleeping in high-altitude replicating tents and getting himself in ‘the zone’ but he had to find another gear for what will be the biggest fight of his professional career. Haye has a tried and tested regime that has not let him down in the past even when scuppered with injuries and illness.
Booth added: "This time he's more experienced, he's been the cruiserweight and is the heavyweight world champion and he's a more complete fighter as well."
An uninterrupted preparation can only put Haye in even finer fettle for this fight.
“Audley is going to get numbed by shots he just doesn’t see. I truly believe that with every cell in my body.”
(5) Haye’s timing is perfect
The Bermondsey-born bruiser has timed his ascent perfectly to the pinnacle of what is traditionally the most respected division in boxing. Haye defeated all comers at cruiserweight division and was able to step up to heavyweight retaining his speed and enhancing his trademark aggressive power. At 30 he is now settled in the division and has plotted his route to clean-up the division – assuming the technicalities of the Klitschko fights can be ironed out.
Harrison has floundered in the division since turning professional in 2001 and at the ripe old age of 39 simply has not fought anyone of Haye’s nous and class and come out on top. He is in over his head and when the first bell goes on Saturday night he’ll think he lost his in agreeing to the punishment he’ll be about to endure. Then again, I’m sure the pay packet will help Fraudley get over the pain.
TALE OF THE TAPE
David Haye
Age: 30
Height: 6ft 3in
Reach: 198cm
Fights: 24
Wins: 23
Wins by KO: 21
Losses: 1
Audley Harrison
Age: 39
Height: 6ft 51/2in
Reach: 218cm
Fights: 31
Wins: 27
Wins by KO: 20
Losses: 4