Haye ready for 'freak show' in Nuremberg
Saturday, 7 November 2009 10:10David Haye believes the 'freak show' element of tonight's WBA heavyweight title clash with Russian giant Nikolai Valuev has captured the public's imagination.
The size of the task facing Haye was brought into sharp focus yesterday as WBA heavyweight champion Nikolai Valuev weighed in a daunting seven stone heavier than the Englishman.
Haye will tonight attempt to take Valuev's belt in Germany to become the first British fighter since Lennox Lewis to hold a version of the world title.
While the size difference between 6ft 3ins Haye and 7ft 2ins Valuev has always been clear, the weigh-in in Nuremberg hammered home the fact emphatically as Haye weighed in at a career-high 15st 8lbs only to see his Russian opponent tip the scales at 22st 8lbs.
'It's going to be interesting, even to non-boxing fans,' said Haye. 'People like a freak show and it's like something you would see in WWE [American wrestling], not something you would see in a real boxing match. That has really captured the public's imagination.'
Valuev has never been floored in 52 fights and has only ever been beaten once, but Haye said: 'I feel I've got the skill, the will and the heart to go out there, knock this Russian out and bring this title back to Britain.'
