By Mark Vester
WBA heavyweight champion David Haye is hoping to emulate one of his idols, Sir Henry Cooper, by repeating Cooper's legendary punch which nearly derailed Muhammad Ali in the fourth round of their 1963 bout. Haye wants to land the same punch against IBO/WBO/IBF champion Wladimir Klitschko on July 2 in Hamburg, Germany. Cooper passes away at age 76 on Sunday. Haye has no doubt about his ability to end the fight if Klitschko is hit with a similar punch.
"Anybody who ever met Henry Cooper says he was a great guy. He'll be sadly missed by everyone," Haye told Sky Sports News. "If I can land a similar shot to what Henry Cooper landed on Cassius Clay against Wladimir Klitschko on July 2 then I'll be a happy man."
There appears to be no concern about facing Klitschko on hostile ground. Haye expects a good number of UK fans to attend the fight and although their numbers will be smaller, he predicts a very loud reaction from the gathering.
"He's never had to fight in a hostile atmosphere in his whole life. He's always been the home fighter," said Haye. "But even if we have 25% British support, I know 25% British will make a lot more noise."