HOBOKEN, N.J. (October 28, 2009) – Three-time world cruiserweight champion David “The Haymaker” Haye is excited that his “David vs. Goliath” title fight Nov. 7 against World Boxing Association heavyweight champion Nikolai “The Russian Giant” Valuev is being broadcast in North America live on Pay-Per-View from Nuremberg, Germany..
Valuev-Haye is promoted by Wilfried Sauerland’s Sauerland Event and its Managing Director, Christian Meyer, in association with Don King Productions. The broadcast is being distributed in the United States and Canada by Integrated Sports for live viewing at 3 PM/ET – 12 PM/PT on both cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, DIRECTV, TVN, DISH Network, Viewer’s Choice, Shaw PPV and Bell TV for a suggested retail price of only $24.95. A replay will be shown that same night at 9 PM/ET, 6 PM/PT.
“This is very important for me,” Haye spoke about the fight airing in North America. “I’m looking to increase my fan base all the time. I hope a lot of American and Canadian fans know of me from what I achieved at cruiserweight, but I’m sure this will be the first time they’ve been able to watch me live since my cruiserweight unification clash with Enzo Maccarinelli.
“I’ve done a lot of training in America in the past and I’d love to defend my heavyweight title there one day. It’s extremely important that my next few fights are shown in the States as there are no great heavyweights being from the USA nowadays. I want to bring back the excitement and charisma that a lot of great American heavyweights of yesteryear brought in the ring.”
The outspoken Haye, (22-1, 21 KOs), from London, England, plans to showcase his superior quickness and athleticism versus Valuev, after leaving the cruiserweight division in ruins as the unified WBA/WBC/WBO cruiserweight champion before moving up to heavyweight last year.
Valuev (50-1, 34 KOs), from St. Petersburg, Russia, is the two-time and current WBA heavyweight champion who holds the distinction of being the tallest and heaviest champion in history at an intimidating 7 feet and 325 pounds.
“The Hayemaker” has taunted Valuev since their fight was first announced. “Getting riled-up and angry is never good for any fighter,” Haye noted. “It doesn’t allow you to think straight or follow a game plan. You start to fight emotionally, rather than tactfully. If I have gotten under Valuev’s skin, it will only affect his performance in a negative way. He’ll fight angry, throw wild punches and become reckless. The more angry punches he throws, the more chances there will be for me to counter punch him and find holes in his defense.
“I’m as freakishly fast as Valuev is freakishly big. That’s the key to this fight. I’m never going to be bigger or stronger than a guy like Valuev, no matter how hard I train or now many weights I lift. My main advantage going into this fight is raw speed, agility and explosiveness. I’ll be able to hit him multiple times for every one punch he attempts to land on me.”
Haye, whose only pro loss was 13 fights and five years ago to Carl Thompson (TKO5), has defeated four world cruiserweight champions: Enzo Maccarinelli (TKO1) for the WBA/WBC/WBO crowns, Jean Marc Mormeck (TKO7) for the WBC/WBA championships, Giacobbe Fragomeni (TKO9) for the European title and “King” Arthur Williams (TKO3).
“Beating Valuev by any means will confirm what I’ve said all along – I’m one of the top heavyweights in the world,” Haye concluded. “It will also fulfil my dream of becoming a world heavyweight champion. If I’m able to knock ‘The Beast’ clean out, them you’re looking at one of the biggest wins in the heavyweight division for years. That will be the evidence I need that my power has transferred up from cruiserweight and that I’m a genuine threat to every heavyweight on the planet.”
Mikkel Kessler Moves Camp To California
WBA Super-Middleweight Champion Mikkel Kessler will move his training camp to California at the end of this week to continue his preparation for his Super Six World Boxing Classic opener against Andre Ward. The November 21 clash will air live on SHOWTIME at 10 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).
Kessler today caught up with his fans, sending out a special newsletter via his website, www.mikkelkessler.com. Feel free to have a look at his Facebook page – it has close to 125,000 fans.
Here is the latest from the Viking Warrior:
“With just 25 days between now and the fight, I wanted to give you a quick update on my preparation. As you know, I am very thankful for all your support. Please keep it up.
“For the last couple of weeks I have been sparring with a rather tough guy, Sergej, from Lithuania. He has given me a good idea about where I stand before the Ward fight on November 21.
“Looking back at the Perdomo fight, I think it was my luck that the fight only lasted four rounds. That made the recovery period shorter, and that is something I benefit of now as I am preparing for the Ward fight. At the same time I also benefit from the hard preparation ahead of the Perdomo fight. Physically, I was in great shape, and I am already close to reaching a good level for my Super Six opener.
“As a result of my physical condition I am now able to focus on the tactical dimensions and how to get one step ahead of my young American opponent. Fighting Ward, who has been called the next big American fighter, is a great challenge for me, no doubt about that. Having said that, I am used to tough challenges, which makes me confident thinking about the fight. At the end of the day I have fought more than twice the fights that Ward has.
“A well-structured preparation is one of the most valuable elements for a win. Is the physical shape as it should be? The tactical understanding – do I know my opponent´s strength and weaknesses? My nutrition – do I eat the right things at the right time? And finally have I adapted to the surroundings in which the fight takes place? My career has taught me that the circadian rhythm is one of those elements that can break you during the fight. With that in mind, I have decided to leave for Sacramento, California at the end of this week. That gives me three weeks to adapt to the US environment and time zone. That should be more than enough to be ready on November 21.
“During the last 3 weeks up to the fight I will update you guys in text and pictures on the website as well as on Facebook. Talking about Facebook, I am very grateful about the attention I get at the fan site. More than 100.000 have signed up after the Perdomo fight – which is amazing! My promise to you guys is to do whatever is in my power to win the Ward fight as a thank you for your support and interest in my career!”