By Mark Vester
Ricky Hatton has backed David Haye to knock out WBA heavyweight champion Nikolai Valuev on November 7. To show his support, Hatton has opened the doors of his Manchester gym to Haye. He predicts the former cruiserweight king will be too quick for Valuev to land any serious punches.
“[Haye] doesn’t want to take too many punches but I think the key in this fight will be the speed factor,” said Hatton to STV. “As big as [Valuev] is and as tall as he is, the difference in speed is massive and I think if David boxes a very clever fight, a smart fight, and keeps his chin down, I don't think Valuev will be quick enough to hit him."
Valuev has never been down or seriously hurt. Hatton still feels that Haye is more than strong enough to knock Valuev out - and he predicts a Haye win by knockout. Hatton says a knockout win will allow Haye to have more pull at the negotiating table with the Klitschko brothers.
"David packs a lot of power and I think he can do to Valuev what no-one else has done to him. I think he'll knock him out in sensational fashion. When he does that, he can sit down at the table with the Klitschkos and he'll have a lot more pulling power," Haye said.
Send News Tips and Comments To Mark Vester @ boxingvester@gmail.com
