WBA Heavyweight Champion Nikolai Valuev and David Haye today came face-to-face for the first time ahead of their title clash in Nuremberg on November 7. “I believe I can knock him out,” Haye told a packed press conference at the Arena Nurnberger Versicherung. “I will take the title home with me.” Haye admitted that the preparation for the biggest fight of his life will be a difficult one. “It is hard to find sparring partners that are as tall as him,” he said. “But we will find some. This will be a true David-versus-Goliath battle. I am much faster than him and I will win.”
The Russian Giant certainly holds a different view. “Even though I have not fought for quite a while, I did not sit back and relax,” he stated. “I only had to take this long break because Ruslan Chagaev could not fight me. I have started my preparations for the fight at the end of June. In the past weeks I have been preparing specially for David Haye. He is a strong challenger but he will not beat me..”
And the biggest and tallest champion of all time added: “I will go back to Russia for a couple of days before returning to Berlin for sparring. Haye will try to edge me with his speed but I am prepared for that. He will not get my belt.”
Tickets for the clash will go on sale shortly at www.ticketcorner.com.
Valuev vs Haye lands in Nürnberg
Team Sauerland is pleased to announce that Nikolai Valuev will defend his WBA Heavyweight Title against David Haye in Nuremberg on November 7. “We are delighted to return to Nuremberg,” Team Sauerland General Manager Chris Meyer said. “Niko only has the best of memories of the Arena Nurnberger Versicherung. That is where he displayed one of the best performances of his career. Back in February 2008, he won every single round in the eliminator against former world champion Sergej Liakhovich. We look forward to another great night of boxing.
Added Kalle Sauerland: “After all the trash talk from David Haye, it is about time that someone shuts him up. I am sure Niko will gratefully accept this task. It will be a battle of David against Goliath but this time, Goliath wins!”
While Haye is convinced he can become the first man to floor the Russian Giant, Valuev has been unimpressed by the verbal outbursts of his challenger. “He can say what he wants. I look forward to fighting in Nuremberg again. I will continue where I left it against Liakhovich. Haye is a strong challenger, but he will not beat me. I will defend my title and calm Haye down.”