Photo credit: Al Stevenson – By William Mackay: Former Muhammad Ali trainer Angelo Dundee is really enthusiastic about WBA heavyweight champion David Haye’s chances of becoming the next big star in the heavyweight division. In an article at the Telegraph Sport, the 88-year-olds Dundee says “Haye could spark it up. Haye will knock out the younger Klitschko [Wladimir]. I’m sure he will knock him out, but the older Klitschko brother [Vitali] is harder to fight. He plods with his left hand and he is hard to get to. The younger Klitschko, Haye will have a great chance against. Every fighters his time, and it may just be David Haye’s time right now.”
John Ruiz
Haye could fight the Klitschko brothers in the Middle East – News
By Jim Dower: If World Boxing Association heavyweight champion David Haye (23-1, 21 KO’s) has his way, he could be facing one of the Klitschko brothers in the Middle East next. According to AP, Haye has already started discussions for having a unification bout against one of the Klitschko brothers – Vitali or Wladimir – take place in the Middle East. Haye says “It’s something we have talked about with Adam Booth [Haye’s trainer/manager]. There has not been a big title fight in the Middle East. A heavyweight title fight is the biggest you can get. It would be huge for putting Abu Dhabi on the map.“
Haye: “I’ll throw everything but the kitchen sink at him” [Ruiz]
![Image: Haye: “I’ll throw everything but the kitchen sink at him” [Ruiz]](https://www.boxingnews24.com/wp-content/uploads/haye-ruiz6.jpg "haye-ruiz6")
Picture: Andrew Couldridge / Action Images – By William Mackay: WBA heavyweight champion David Haye wants to look good above all else this Saturday night against challenger John Ruiz (44-8-1, 30 KO’s). Haye, 29, is committed to putting in a better performance this time compared to his last bout against seven foot Russian Nikolay Valuev, whom he beat by a 12 round majority decision last November. Haye says in an article at RTE, “I want to make a big statement in this fight by showing how a heavyweight champion deals with John Ruiz. I’ll throw everything but the kitchen sink at him. It will be all guns blazing and I’m expecting to sizzle.”
Haye comes in heavier than last bout
By Scott Gilfoid: WBA heavyweight champion David Haye came in five pounds heavier at today’s weigh-in compared to his last bout against World Boxing Association heavyweight champion Nikolay Valuev. Haye, 29, weighed in at a career high of 222, a total of five pounds heavier than his highest weight of 217. This may seem insignificant but when you have a small frame like Haye, it could amount to a lot of excess weight. Ruiz weighed 231 at today’s weigh-in. That’s a good weight for him, as he’s weighed in close to 240 in some of his fights.
Haye says he might “disappear” if he loses to Ruiz – News
By Scott Gilfoid: David Haye (23-1, 21 KO’s) says might run away from everyone to hide for a year if he loses to John Ruiz (44-8-1, 30 KO’s) on Saturday night. Haye, 29, will be defending his World Boxing Association heavyweight title against perhaps the best heavyweight he’s faced thus far with the 38-year-old Ruiz. In an article at the Sun, Haye says “If I don’t beat Ruiz, it will be another [Carl] Thompson moment for me, and I’ll probably disappear for a year to get over it.” This would be the case of Haye effectively acting out the equivalent of a ostrich by hiding from people so he wouldn’t have to face the criticism, ridicule and questions if he was to lose to Ruiz on Saturday night.
Is self doubt starting to creep in Haye’s mind?
By Sean McDaniel: WBA heavyweight champion David Haye has suddenly started to kiss up to his challenger John Ruiz, smothering him with praises instead of teasing him without mercy like he generally does with all his opponents. It’s hard to understand what has come over Haye other than to assume that Haye is possibly trying to build Ruiz with the boxing public in case Haye gets knocked out again. If Haye tells boxing fans how great Ruiz long enough, it will be less of a shock if/when Haye gets stretched out on the canvas and beaten.
De La Hoya: “Haye can be the next great super heavyweight champion”
By Jim Dower: Oscar De La Hoya is practically drooling over World Boxing Association heavyweight champion David Haye {23-1, 21 KO’s) ahead of the British fighters’ first title defense this weekend against John Ruiz (44-8-1, 30 KO’s) at the M.E.N. Arena, in Manchester, England. De La Hoya, who promotes Haye through Golden Boy Promotions, says “In my eyes, Haye can be the next great super heavyweight champion of the world, like Lennox Lewis was.”
Ruiz: fighting Haye – “It’s going to be like corralling a fleeing animal”
By Scott Gilfoid: Two time heavyweight champion John Ruiz (44-8-1, 30 KO’s) at least knows what he’s up against when he enters the boxing ring on Saturday night against WBA heavyweight champion David Haye (23-1, 21 KO’s) at the M.E.N. Arena, in Manchester, England. The 38-year-old Ruiz says in an article at the USA Today “It’s going to be like corralling a fleeing animal. He’s quick. David is fast and moves a lot. He gives different angles.” You can say that again, Ruiz.
Haye says “I’m going to have to beat him [Ruiz] within an inch of his life”
![Image: Haye says “I’m going to have to beat him [Ruiz] within an inch of his life”](https://www.boxingnews24.com/wp-content/uploads/haye-ruiz23.jpg "haye-ruiz23")
By William Mackay: WBA heavyweight champion David Haye (23-1, 21 KO’s) has ratcheted up his trash talk for his 38-year-old challenger John Ruiz (44-8-1, 30 KO’s) this Saturday night, saying “I’m going to have to beat him within an inch of his life. I know he’s got good powers of recovery and I’m really going to have to hammer away at him. I know that if I keep chopping, the tree will eventually fall.” In an earlier interview, Haye talked of “Decapitating” Ruiz, so this sounds a little less hyperbolic comment than that, but not by much.
Haye says he’s going to “decapitate” Ruiz
By William Mackay: World Boxing Association heavyweight champion David Haye (23-1, 21 KO’s) is predicting a knockout victory on Saturday night against John Ruiz (44-8-1, 30 KO’s) in Haye’s first defense of his WBA title. In an article at Sky Sports News, Haye says “I wouldn’t bring my family either, if I knew I was going to get decapitated!” Haye, 29, is hoping to put on an impressive display in front of what will likely be a sellout crowd at the M.E.N Arena, in Manchester, England. Haye previously had a shirt made showing him holding the decapitated heads of both Klitschko brothers in his hands. Unfortunately, Haye was never able to fight the brothers, but it looks like he’s still focusing on him being able to take off heads.