British heavyweight champion Danny Williams has backed David Haye’s bid to revive the flagging division and went as far as to describe Haye ‘as the man’. Williams was speaking to Setanta Sports News during Steve Bunce’s Boxing Hour ahead of his bout against John McDermott on Friday night at the Goresbrook Leisure Centre in Dagenham..

“David Haye has tremendous speed and power. He has absolutely everything. He could beat any heavyweight without a warm-up.”

Williams slammed last weekend’s heavyweight title bout between Wladimir Klitschko and Tony Thompson, describing Thompson’s performance as ‘absolutely sickening’.

“To see a guy fighting for the world heavyweight title, a guy going for a belt held by the great Muhammad Ali and Fraser, [for him] to go in there and not give it his all is disgusting.”

ESPN Friday Night Fights
Gamboa to face Seeger in Primm, Nevada

Cuban phenomenon Yuriorkis Gamboa (10-0, 8 kos) will be back in action this Friday in Primm, Nevada. At Buffalo Bill’s “Star of the Desert Arena” the 2004 Olympic gold medallist faces tough contender Al Seeger (27-3, 21 kos). Originally Gamboa was scheduled to fight WBA #2 Jose “Cheo” Rojas (25-6-1) from Venezuela who pulled out on short notice.

“We don’t know exactly why Rojas didn’t show up in Primm”, states ARENA-CEO Ahet Öner. “At first we have been told that Rojas wouldn’t get visa to enter the US; now I heard that he suffered a cut in his last sparring session. Maybe he is just afraid of Yuriorkis. This change of plans won’t be easy for him as he prepared for a southpaw and will face an orthodox opponent now. In addition to that I think Seeger is even stronger than Rojas. He may have lost his last two fights but you shouldn’t forget that both were world title bouts. I’m sure that Yuri will not underestimate him.”

By beating Seeger Gamboa (#3 WBC and WBA) wants to put himself forward for a world title fight. The show will be broadcasted LIVE on ESPN2 and on German sports network DSF.

The co-main event features light middleweight contender Richard Gutierrez (24-2, 14 kos) who faces Don Juan Futrell (21-3-2, 10 kos) from St. Louis Missouri.