Tweet
David Haye 'will flatten' Nikolai Valuev, says Freddie Roach
David Haye 'will flatten' Nikolai Valuev, says Freddie Roach
David Haye "will flatten Nikolai Valuev" and is the ideal man to reignite the world heavyweight division, according to trainer Freddie Roach.
By Gareth A Davies
Published: 7:30AM GMT 03 Nov 2009
Making Haye: Freddie Roach says David Hatye (pictured) will 'flatten' Nikolai Valuev in their WBA heavyweight title fight on Saturday Photo: AP
Haye, the former three-belt world cruiserweight champion, meets the 7ft Russian in Nuremberg on Saturday, with the prize the World Boxing Association heavyweight title at stake.
Roach, who spoke exclusively to Telegraph Sport at the Wild Card Gym, Hollywood, where he is training both Manny Pacquiao and Amir Khan ahead of their respective world title fights, said: "Haye will flatten Valuev, he'll crush him.
"Haye will become the first man to knock Valuev out. Sure, the big guy has shown he is resilient, and I'm surprised he can go 12 rounds without getting tired because he is so heavy [at 23 stone], but with Haye's power and speed he's going to get KO'd."
Roach, credited with developing Pacquiao into the world's No 1 pound-for-pound boxer, believes Haye's style and demeanour is compelling, and exactly what the world's heavyweight division needs.
"I like guys who like to fight," Roach said. "Haye believes in himself, he talks a bit of bull, but he's just trying to ignite interest in the fight. He's young, exciting, and charismatic.
"Haye's the best thing for the heavyweight division right now, because he comes to fight, he comes to win, and he's a puncher.
"That's what heavyweight boxing should be all about. The Klitschko brothers are great boxers but they are boring. They don't take risks. You've got to go for it in this sport, and give 100 per cent.
"Manny Pacquiao is popular because he comes to exchange with you, he wants to fight. Once in a while he gets hit, but that is part of the game. Haye is the spark the heavyweight division needs right now.
"I'm sure Haye is going to win this fight. [Evander] Holyfield got a bad decision last year against Valuev, but Holyfield won that fight.
"If a shot 46-year-old Holyfield can beat Valuev, a young David Haye with speed and power mean he will be the first guy to KO Valuev."
David Haye "will flatten Nikolai Valuev" and is the ideal man to reignite the world heavyweight division, according to trainer Freddie Roach.
By Gareth A Davies
Published: 7:30AM GMT 03 Nov 2009
Making Haye: Freddie Roach says David Hatye (pictured) will 'flatten' Nikolai Valuev in their WBA heavyweight title fight on Saturday Photo: AP
Haye, the former three-belt world cruiserweight champion, meets the 7ft Russian in Nuremberg on Saturday, with the prize the World Boxing Association heavyweight title at stake.
Roach, who spoke exclusively to Telegraph Sport at the Wild Card Gym, Hollywood, where he is training both Manny Pacquiao and Amir Khan ahead of their respective world title fights, said: "Haye will flatten Valuev, he'll crush him.
"Haye will become the first man to knock Valuev out. Sure, the big guy has shown he is resilient, and I'm surprised he can go 12 rounds without getting tired because he is so heavy [at 23 stone], but with Haye's power and speed he's going to get KO'd."
Roach, credited with developing Pacquiao into the world's No 1 pound-for-pound boxer, believes Haye's style and demeanour is compelling, and exactly what the world's heavyweight division needs.
"I like guys who like to fight," Roach said. "Haye believes in himself, he talks a bit of bull, but he's just trying to ignite interest in the fight. He's young, exciting, and charismatic.
"Haye's the best thing for the heavyweight division right now, because he comes to fight, he comes to win, and he's a puncher.
"That's what heavyweight boxing should be all about. The Klitschko brothers are great boxers but they are boring. They don't take risks. You've got to go for it in this sport, and give 100 per cent.
"Manny Pacquiao is popular because he comes to exchange with you, he wants to fight. Once in a while he gets hit, but that is part of the game. Haye is the spark the heavyweight division needs right now.
"I'm sure Haye is going to win this fight. [Evander] Holyfield got a bad decision last year against Valuev, but Holyfield won that fight.
"If a shot 46-year-old Holyfield can beat Valuev, a young David Haye with speed and power mean he will be the first guy to KO Valuev."
Comment