WBA Heavyweight Champion David Haye has weighed in three-stone lighter than his bitter rival and fellow Londoner Audley Harrison ahead of tomorrow night’s world title showdown.
Haye is the overwhelming favourite with the bookmakers to retain his belt, though the disparity in weight is much greater than many had anticipated. Harrison tipped the scales at 18st 1lbs, heavier than he has entered his last two fights, possibly in an attempt to overwhelm Haye with his size and strength.
Haye, looking to take full advantage of his superior hand and footspeed, came in at just 15st 1lbs. He will be defending his WBA heavyweight crown at Manchester’s MEN Arena, in only the third time two Britons have clashed for a heavyweight title.
"I've heard he wants to knock me out early, which is tremendous, it gives me a warm feeling," Haye stated. "Because I like to fight and he doesn't like to fight as much as I do."
Haye suggested he was “looking forward to going to war”, whilst calling into question the desire of his opponent. Making his second defence of the title he won from Nikolay Valuev, Haye insinuated Harrison was scared, claiming he could “hear his heart beat through his jacket” throughout a press conference.
Olympic gold medalist James DeGale doubts the credentials fellow gold medalist Harrison will be able to bring to the bout. The hotly tipped British super-middleweight exclusively told sportsvibe: “I think David Haye is going to win within six rounds. He’s going to win because he’s too fast and too explosive. Audley has got all the skills to pay the bills, but I’m not sure if he’s got the heart to play the part.”
The fight is poised to be an explosive one with the well-documented hostilities between the fighters adding an extra dimension to the clash. Haye enters the fight as the justified favourite, boasting a more impressive professional record of 24 wins in 25 fights.
However, Harrison is bigger, stronger, has a longer reach and a better amateur background. He maintains a great jab and has KO power in his left hand, when he decides to use it. For Harrison, the fight may be his last opportunity to prove himself to a boxing world that cast him into the wilderness. For Haye, it may prove to be the final stepping-stone on a path to facing either of the Klitschko brothers.
