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A week ago, Evander Holyfield had not heard of David Haye. After watching the Londoner who idolises him destroy Enzo Maccarinelli, the four-time world heavyweight champion believes Haye could follow in his footsteps.
Holyfield, 45, is the only former world cruiserweight champion to move up to win the heavyweight title, which he won for the first time by knocking out James “Buster” Douglas in 1990. Holyfield went to watch Haye after being constantly told about him during a week in Britain promoting his autobiography, Being Holyfield, and said that he believes Haye can step up to win the heavyweight title.
“This guy has a great chance of doing that - although he may have to get past me,” Holyfield said. “It's nice when you are an inspiration to people. I've always tried to be an example to others with the way I behave in and out of the ring.
“Moving up was tough because you are giving away an advantage. You are a physical guy, probably the strongest guy in the division, and you've got to become the smartest guy. I was more skilful than a lot of big guys, so I was able to create the career that I had.”
As Haye sets off in search of the heavyweight title, he has one new name on his list of targets, the first world heavyweight champion from Nigeria. Samuel Peter won the WBC title when he stopped Oleg Maskaev in six rounds in Cancún, Mexico, about an hour after Haye had unified the cruiserweight titles.
Holyfield, 45, is the only former world cruiserweight champion to move up to win the heavyweight title, which he won for the first time by knocking out James “Buster” Douglas in 1990. Holyfield went to watch Haye after being constantly told about him during a week in Britain promoting his autobiography, Being Holyfield, and said that he believes Haye can step up to win the heavyweight title.
“This guy has a great chance of doing that - although he may have to get past me,” Holyfield said. “It's nice when you are an inspiration to people. I've always tried to be an example to others with the way I behave in and out of the ring.
“Moving up was tough because you are giving away an advantage. You are a physical guy, probably the strongest guy in the division, and you've got to become the smartest guy. I was more skilful than a lot of big guys, so I was able to create the career that I had.”
As Haye sets off in search of the heavyweight title, he has one new name on his list of targets, the first world heavyweight champion from Nigeria. Samuel Peter won the WBC title when he stopped Oleg Maskaev in six rounds in Cancún, Mexico, about an hour after Haye had unified the cruiserweight titles.
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