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Haye lies a lot, doesn't he?
Haye laughs off possibility of Harrison title defence
Haye laughs off possibility of Harrison title defence
Current WBA world heavyweight champion David 'The Hayemaker' Haye has poured scorn on British rival Audley Harrison's attempts to talk his way towards a world title shot.
The 38-year-old Harrison snared the European heavyweight title last week and has since set his sights on an all-British showdown with Haye in 2010.
Haye, fresh off a stunning ninth-round stoppage of world-class contender John Ruiz, isn't even entertaining the idea of meeting Harrison.
"Everything that I've prophesied so far in my career, I've then put into practice and achieved," said Haye. "I said I'd become world cruiserweight champion and I did that. I then said I'd become unified world cruiserweight champion and I did that, too. I then said I'd become world heavyweight champion and I've just gone and done that. I think I've achieved everything I said I would.
"Audley said he'd win the Olympic Games, and he did really well to win that amateur tournament. He then turned professional and said he'd win the British heavyweight title within five fights. He's never won the British title to this very day."
While Haye has gatecrashed and illuminated the world heavyweight division in an explosive 12-month assault, Harrison continues to stall on the fringes of the domestic scene. His European title win last Friday represented the first time Harrison had scooped major honours as a professional, since turning pro in May 2001.
In a nine-year pro career Harrison has won 27 bouts and suffered defeat four times. He was dramatically knocked out by Michael Sprott in 2007, and was also soundly outpointed by Dominic Guinn, Martin Rogan and Danny Williams. He has yet to meet a world-class or ranked opponent and has confronted defeat each time he's attempted to move up in level.
Harrison appeared on the verge of losing again last Friday - and was behind on all scorecards - before uncorking a peach of a left-cross in the 12th round to knock out underdog Sprott in a rematch.
"Audley's won the vacant title against Michael Sprott, a guy who had previously knocked him spark out in three rounds," added Haye, a four-time and two-weight world champion.
"He needs to focus on his own career and start getting his own house in order first. Perhaps he should offer rematches to all the guys that have beaten him first and set the record straight there. There will be a pretty long queue.
The 38-year-old Harrison snared the European heavyweight title last week and has since set his sights on an all-British showdown with Haye in 2010.
Haye, fresh off a stunning ninth-round stoppage of world-class contender John Ruiz, isn't even entertaining the idea of meeting Harrison.
"Everything that I've prophesied so far in my career, I've then put into practice and achieved," said Haye. "I said I'd become world cruiserweight champion and I did that. I then said I'd become unified world cruiserweight champion and I did that, too. I then said I'd become world heavyweight champion and I've just gone and done that. I think I've achieved everything I said I would.
"Audley said he'd win the Olympic Games, and he did really well to win that amateur tournament. He then turned professional and said he'd win the British heavyweight title within five fights. He's never won the British title to this very day."
While Haye has gatecrashed and illuminated the world heavyweight division in an explosive 12-month assault, Harrison continues to stall on the fringes of the domestic scene. His European title win last Friday represented the first time Harrison had scooped major honours as a professional, since turning pro in May 2001.
In a nine-year pro career Harrison has won 27 bouts and suffered defeat four times. He was dramatically knocked out by Michael Sprott in 2007, and was also soundly outpointed by Dominic Guinn, Martin Rogan and Danny Williams. He has yet to meet a world-class or ranked opponent and has confronted defeat each time he's attempted to move up in level.
Harrison appeared on the verge of losing again last Friday - and was behind on all scorecards - before uncorking a peach of a left-cross in the 12th round to knock out underdog Sprott in a rematch.
"Audley's won the vacant title against Michael Sprott, a guy who had previously knocked him spark out in three rounds," added Haye, a four-time and two-weight world champion.
"He needs to focus on his own career and start getting his own house in order first. Perhaps he should offer rematches to all the guys that have beaten him first and set the record straight there. There will be a pretty long queue.
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