I'll walk the walk, says Haye

Londoner says he will embarrass Russian champ

By Tim Hobbs   Last updated: 6th November 2009  

I'll walk the walk, says Haye

Haye: says he will embarrass Valuev

I'm not one of these guys he's used to fighting. I'm not over-the-hill, I'm not tainted, I'm not past my sell-by-date. I am fresh, I am ready.

David Haye
Quotes of the week

DAVID AND GOLIATH
WBA Heavyweight title
David Haye v Nikolai Valuev
Saturday, November 7
Live on Sky Box Office
Call 08442 410888 to book now or use the Box Office function on your remote control

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David Haye says he will prove he is more than a 'mouthy little Englishman' against Nikolai Valuev.

The Londoner has vowed to back up his taunts when he takes on the seven-foot WBA heavyweight champion in Nuremberg on Saturday night.

Haye has upset the Russian and his camp with his pre-fight taunts and was at it again at the head-to-head press conference at the Maritim Hotel, claiming the champion has fought nothing but fighters past their best.

Valuev's camp responded by claiming they would "shut his dirty mouth up", but the Brit remained unbowed and says he will back up those words when it really matters.

"He hasn't fought anyone of my calibre; he's never fought anyone in their prime or someone so fired up," Haye said.

"I'm not one of these guys he's used to fighting. I'm not over-the-hill, I'm not tainted, I'm not past my sell-by-date. I am fresh, I am ready.

"Training has gone great and I am gonna make him look silly on Saturday night. I am going to embarrass him, knock him out."

"He's never fought anyone as fast or who punches as hard as me, or as accurate. I know he feels I'm a little mouthy man from England, but he's gonna be in for a rude awakening when that bell goes."

Promises

Valuev, flanked by his trainer and representatives from Sauerland and Don King Promotions and speaking through a translator remained unruffled.

Haye's jibes are nothing new to a man who has had 52 fights, eight of them for the WBA title, and he says he will prove that talk is cheap come Saturday.

And he urged the Londoner to carry on making promises in the final countdown to fight night, insisting they have not bothered him one bit.

"It's nothing unusual, I've had it in most of my fights, it's not unusual to hear someone will knock me out," he said.

"To say something before the fight is easy, but you have to prove and show it in the ring.

"On Saturday we will see what you can show us. You've still got a few more days to tell us what you intend to do, but we will see on Saturday what will happen."

To see the David and Goliath press conference in full, click on the video link here...

Comments (69)

Daniel Hixon says...

Please tell me how a british person can be embarresed about Haye's behaviour. Most countries think were arrogant anyway. Haye is going out their to prove to everyone that we are the best boxing nation in the world. Look at the insults the American boxers dish out. Haye is going to do to him what Calzaghe done to the american guy who come over unbeaten. This division has needed a kick up the backside for a long time and Haye is just the man for the job

Posted 14:45 6th November 2009

Scott Robbins says...

Love him or hate him, you deny that the hayemaker sells fights. Before he pulled out of his scheduled match up with Wladimir, the place was an absolute sellout, does anybody seriously think that was through Wlad vs Chagaev? His antics have definately crossed the line, but in Valuev's case this has brought the most hype and public interest in his career and he's got Haye to thank for that. Size isn't everything people, you're talking like the bigger man has always beaten the smaller one and that has been the case alot of times, but that's not always been the case. Check your history going back as far to Dempsey/Willard or Baer/Canera. The Rock, Smokin Joe and Iron Mike spent most of their careers fighting and beating guys bigger than them. And most recently Chagaev and Holyfield, who are of simular size to Haye, found alot of success against Valuev. If Haye does talk the talk and execute the strategy that he has planned, then why not? As long as he doesn't get tagged early on, with his stamina and conditioning holding up, i can see him beating Valuev to the punch with his combinations. It will be a very difficult task for Haye, but not as impossible as some of you are making it out to be.

Posted 13:28 6th November 2009

Mart James says...

Sure Haye has a big mouth but a lot he is saying is true and its defo getting people talking about this fight, which lets face it, is his aim. Personally, altho I want Haye to win, I can't see it happening, the size and weight/power of Valuev will just be too much!!!. Im hoping Im proved wrong!.

Posted 11:51 6th November 2009

Daniel Farrell says...

I think Haye can win, he needs to keep his distance from Valuve and avoid any close encounters where Valuve could flatten him. Valuve isnt a good boxer, he's just massive. HHaye should be beat him ffor fitness and if he can take it the full 12 rounds he will definatly win on points! Come on The Haymaker! For England!!

Posted 11:12 6th November 2009

Jay F says...

Alex Moore, Perhaps i was a little unfair saying Haye has done nothing but he's questioned Valuev's credentials at heavyweight...where are his? Who has he beaten? Haye has no humility and as we English are seen as arrogant in most sports already his comments are at best distasteful. I agree he adds spark to a weight that has lacked it since Tyson but how many englishmen will be bothered by Monday morning if he loses? He has no class and wll be quickly forgotten i think. It would be nice if he won and retracted some of his embarrassing comments...Time will tell.

Posted 10:32 6th November 2009

Ali Khanty says...

Sorry Mr 'H' but it's not going to be your night !! Much as I like you, I don't think you have the engine and your defence is far too leaky. If 'H' is still around to hear the bell at the end of the 4th round, that will be as big a surprise as the BNP being the next Government !!!

Posted 22:49 5th November 2009

Ian Gardner says...

Osa Osaghae says... David has a big mouth, he talk a bit too much, he should keep his game plan to himself and not feeling too confident. On a more realistic note how is he going to hit Valuev on the head when he is too little for Valuev. I know David is not good enough, this fight will expose David, he knows it and hope he keep mouth shut after this fight. He style of fighting leaves him (David) open to be hit. So go Valuev shut David up Osa - Tyson was dwarfed by most of his opponents throughout his career. The Stats show that Haye's reach is only 8 inches shorter than Valuev - 80 inches to 88 inches which isn't all that much if you consider the great advantage Haye has in speed and skill. I understand why folk don't like Haye but i'm a big fan and hope her can do it. Holyfield - who should have retired 6+ years ago was unlucky not to beat Valuev so surely a younger fresher faster Haye has a decent chance

Posted 21:59 5th November 2009

Ian Gardner says...

Jay F - Haye won the cruiserweight championship of the world in his opponents back yard and has beaten a former champ in Williams , a future cahmp in Fragiocomi and 2 (then current champs) in Mormek and Enzo. Ok not loads but then Valuev doesn't have great names on his record. None of the heavies have really decent names on their record because there aren't any. Vitali's best performance was probably in defeat vs Lewis. Audley's biggest achievement thus far has been Prizefighter - doesn't compare really does it? Peter Chopyk says... It should not matter what colour your skin is as far as world Championship is concern. Being a better boxer is what matters. So, Colin Seymour, you should keep your racist comments to yourself: "white east european champions make you sick How is Colin racist exactly? He just says he's sick of watching safety first unexciting guys like the Klits and feels that Haye adds a bit of excitement to the game

Posted 21:49 5th November 2009

Hansen Hansen says...

To be honest, David Haye is over confident. I mean it's against the laws of phsysics that a man like David (with all due respect) can beat a giant like 'Goliath'. The man and a half (no pun intended) is doing the right thing by keeping his cool and his head down (well he has to keep it down i suppose) and says he will prove David wrong come Saturday evening. If I were Haye, I would be quiet and let the fists do the talking (if they can reach Goliath's face that is).

Posted 18:45 5th November 2009

Olly Calton says...

@ Osa Osaghae.. first off David Haye has every right to feel confident it's his profession as a boxer to be in the right mind set and if it's feeling way to confident so what!! "On a more realistic note how is he going to hit Valuev on the head when he is too little for Valuev" if you actually followed boxing you would know he hit the head off a life size Valuev cut out and has been hitting pads at 7'2 (Valuev's height) so is capable of hitting his halo (which will be assigned to him after the fight) David Haye by late stopage possibly round 10... Tear it up David!

Posted 18:15 5th November 2009

Stuart Bibby says...

I cannot beleive someone looked at Rocky 4 as the winning formula! Thats the best pre fight comment ever. I just saw clips of Holyfield when he fought Valuev. Now if Holyfield cannot stop him Haye cannot either. Holyfield may be old but lets look at if Haye fought Holyfield? Haye cannot risk getting hit like Holyfield could and that he could is the only reason holyfield had so much success. Haye runs out of steam round 5 to 9 and gets stopped badly.

Posted 18:12 5th November 2009

Brandon Turner says...

this russians never fought any1 hes a journey man ... people are saying hayes not big enough .... holyfield is the same size as haye and at times looked like he was going to stop this circus freak ...bear in mind holyfield has been over the hill for the last 7 years 4 rounds haye will av stopped im

Posted 17:15 5th November 2009

Danny Lowther says...

Why is everybody going on about David Haye having a big mouth like its a bad thing??? Some of the greatest boxers in history would fight there fight with their mouths before getting in the ring and using their fists win or loose! I know Hayes is not at the same level as the "mouthy" boxers in the past but it is all a game plan and has been like this through out boxings history. British boxer to win! Big mouth or not. come on Hayes!!!

Posted 15:54 5th November 2009

Jp O'reilly says...

I think this fight could actually be pretty boring in the end, Haye will try his best but I think the big man will hang on him and slow him down and I can see Valuev winning on points. Ive not seen an exciting Valuev fight yet! I hope im wrong!

Posted 15:20 5th November 2009

James Moore says...

I used to like David Haye but ater reading some of his comments, i would find equal joy in watching him fall to the canvas.

Posted 15:02 5th November 2009

Jason Burrows says...

How can people base this boxing match results on a rocky film!!!! anyone with even a bit of basic boxing knowledge knows them fights r stupidly unrealistic!!! i dont think haye will win because with the fight being in German he wil have to knock Valvev out and i just can see happening. holyfield deserved to beat valvev but you cant expect anyone to beat a champion without a convincing win. Valvev will use his weight to slow down Haye by leaning on him, and i have to say i have never seen haye use the ring like holyfield did as generally he just beats the people up! Good luck anyway Haye boxing (especially the heavywieght division) needs a character

Posted 14:16 5th November 2009

Jonny Doyle says...

I agree with Mark Twine Haye is a great fighter at Cruiser weight but I think this is a very tall order for him. If he makes angles for himself and cuts him down with body shots I he might just might have a chance. If the Beast catches haye I dont think he has the chin to take the power this man posesses its scary. For hayes sake he would want to win because of the abuse he has givin this man.

Posted 14:07 5th November 2009

Alex Moore says...

I find this constant slating of Haye a joke. He's got a big mouth, great. Boxing has a long history of entertainers who are often self proclaimed 'the dos .......'. I think it adds a bit of glamour to the sport. With all these people talking about the fight, i'm sure Haye will be happy, he's getting the media attention and tv deals that other fighters are struggling for at the minute (World champion Carl Froch) plus the fact that he is a very good fighter, something the heavyweight division is missing at the minute. Also, give the guy some credit, he's gone out to get the big fights, he's not shirked anyone. Win lose or draw that deserves a pat on the back, Calzaghe managed to avoid most credible contenders for years!!!

Posted 13:35 5th November 2009

Apollo Creed says...

I think Haye will start strongly with an extravagant ring entrance (possibly to a James Brown song) and follow this up with an explosive first couple of rounds. However I do feel once he wakes the sleeping giant he will be in for a tough time. I envisage a brutal knockout in the second for Valuev. This will trigger a Ricky Hatton comeback fight in 2010 when he challenges Valuev to a non-title fight to a be held on Christmas day in Russia with Hatton victorious following a breathtaking 15th round knockout.

Posted 13:26 5th November 2009

Boxing Fan says...

Some of the comments on here are obviously from people who know nothing about boxing. Granted Valuev is huge but there is much more to boxing than size! Mike Tyson dominated the heavyweight division for years, making men much heavier and larger look silly! Saying that Haye must make sure he doesn't get caught with any big shots or it could be an early night. Really looking forward to the fight on Saturday and it could go any way in my eyes! However I'll plump for a Haye knockout in the latter rounds.

Posted 12:44 5th November 2009

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