Boxing

HAYE VS. BARRETT - ONE WEEK TO GO

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13 November 2008

HAYE PLANS AN EARLY NIGHT 

'Let's get ready to rumble...' 

WE'RE NEARLY there now - only one week to go. All the hard graft out in North Cyprus is over and I'm in the best shape I've ever been in. This has been six months in the making and I can't wait to unleash my new heavyweight physique on the boxing world when we weigh-in on Friday at The O2. Then on the Saturday (November 15), the world will see just what that physique can do to a respected a heavyweight contender in Monte 'Two Gunz' Barrett.

I arrived back in England on Monday and quickly prepared myself for all the pre-fight hype and media engagements. The fight seems to be going down a storm and everyone has an opinion on it. It's always a bit of a shock when I come home in the week before a fight and see all the attention and publicity my fight is getting. I sort of choose to cut myself off from all that by training out in North Cyprus, but there's no hiding from it when I touch down back in London.

Obviously, the attention is a good thing. People realise this is a genuine heavyweight clash and a really competitive match. I'm coming off a second-round knockout of Enzo Maccarinelli and Barrett is coming off a first-round demolition of Tye Fields. We're both on good form and we both bang. We're also two guys that get put down and then get back up and win. That should make for a great fight in anyone's book. As purely a boxing fan, I'm excited to see how our styles match up.

I've heard good reports from Barrett's camp. He seems confident, he says he's in great shape and I'm sure he'll be talking a whole heap of trash this week at the pre-fight press conference and in interviews. He sees me as nothing more than a blown-up cruiserweight and has been saying that my power won't have any affect on him. We'll see on November 15. All I know, is I've got my left and right hand cocked and ready to find out. I've never been in the ring before with anyone who hasn't at least respected my 'Hayemakers' so we'll see if 'Two Gunz' Barrett can buck the trend on Saturday.

Barrett definitely brings certain dangers to the table. He's experienced, he's got guts and he'll definitely give it a go. He says he's going to test my chin and that he's going to be my 'preacher'. All I'll say is I'm no 6'8 basketball player (Fields). I learnt how to box in a boxing gym rather than a basketball court and Barrett may have to find a few bombs bouncing off his jaw before he can get anywhere near mine.

In sparring I've been feeling as sharp as I've ever felt. We've used four heavyweight sparring partners out in North Cyprus and they all bring certain elements that we believe Barrett will bring on November 15. One guy takes the fight to me, another tries to box behind a jab, another bombs over the right hand and another tries to wrestle and grapple me. I've had a bit of everything for this one and I couldn't be happier.

We completed the final sparring session last week and I did 10 hard, fast-paced rounds. We rotated the sparring partners, making sure each of them was fresh and revived when they entered the ring. I worked full-on for the 10 rounds and had to deal with all different types of styles from the four sparring partners.

I couldn't be more prepared for what lies ahead. My sparring has been better than ever, my times (running) have been better than ever and I'm feeling so much stronger at my new heavyweight weight. I no longer have to kill myself to make the cruiserweight limit, and am now able to look forward to weighing in at a natural weight and retaining all my strength and energy.

I haven't really paid too much attention to my weight over the course of the training camp, but I don't expect to weigh a whole lot more than I did during my cruiserweight reign. I'm certainly not looking to scale 17 stone just because I'm now allowed to. I haven't been pigging out on donuts like some of these heavyweights. I've stayed trim, I've stayed light on my feet and I'm looking to use the one thing that will stun all these heavyweights - speed. Barrett is seen as a reasonably fast heavyweight, but he won't have seen anything like what I'll be bringing on November 15.

I also received some great news from Setanta and The O2 this week regarding a ticket deal and time change for the fight on November 15. I've been told that fans wishing to come down to The O2 and show some support can now get an amazing 2-for-1 offer on any ticket priced over £80. That's a brilliant incentive to visit The O2 on Saturday and show some love. There's no better place to watch an event - whether sporting or musical - and if you've never seen a boxing match before, you couldn't ask for a better fight or venue on November 15.

The show will also be done and dusted before midnight, as I've been told myself and Barrett will be entering the ring at around 11.15 pm. It was originally planned to get it on in the early hours of the morning, but we've now received a much more practical start time. This also means my fans will have an easier time getting away from the venue after the fight as all the public transport will still be in operation.

If I have my way with Barrett, everyone will be heading home no later than 11.30 pm. 'Two Gunz' Barrett will be the guy at the front of the exit queue with his tail between his legs. Tell the babysitter you'll be home early. There's going to be an explosion.

See you at The O2!

David Haye
AKA The Hayemaker

READ MORE diary entries in David's Diary
http://www.southwarknews.co.uk/davidhaye

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