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[Glax0r]

Ricky Hatton predicts David Haye will knock out Nikolai Valuev in 'sensational style' to become world champion

By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 3:17 PM on 06th November 2009


Ricky Hatton has backed David Haye to succeed him as the standard-bearer of British boxing by knocking Nikolai Valuev out 'in sensational fashion.'

The long and (not so) short of it: World champion Nikolay Valuev with David Haye

Londoner Haye will attempt to dethrone 7ft 2in WBA heavyweight champion Valuev in Nuremberg after moving up from cruiserweight a year ago.

Hatton is still undecided over his own fighting future following his brutal defeat by Manny Pacquiao earlier this year.

But in 29-year-old Haye, the Mancunian two-weight world champion sees a fighter who can go on to become Britain's most popular boxer.

'Absolutely,' said Hatton. 'The heavyweight division has always been the biggest in boxing. In recent years it's been a little bit quiet as far as excitement goes but David Haye is a massive introduction to the heavyweight division.

'If there's one thing you think of when it comes to David Haye, it is excitement. I think this is the first step on the ladder in the heavyweight division for him. I think he's going to look sensational.'

Hatton added: 'I think the fans are getting behind him. He had the Monte Barrett fight in London (a year ago) but he had to go abroad to win the cruiserweight titles.

'I was very fortunate that I had fight after fight in this country and in my home town, whereas David has been dotted about here and there and it's been more difficult for him to build up a fanbase.

'But I expect his fanbase to go through the roof after this fight, because I think David will prove that Britain's got a heavyweight that can really go all the way.
David Haye
Nikolai Valuev

Up close and personal: David Haye is used to infighting while nobody usually gets near the giant Valuev

'He's got a fantastic fight, his second fight up at heavyweight and he's fighting a giant of a man in Valuev, who is over 7ft tall and 20-plus stone. It's an incredible feat.
Ricky Hatton

Claims: Hatton

'He doesn't want to take too many punches and I think the key in this fight will be the speed factor. As big as Valuev is, as tall as he is, the difference in speed is massive and I think if David boxes a very clever fight, a smart fight and keeps his chin down and boxes sensibly, I don't think Valuev will be quick enough to hit him.'

Hatton believes a Haye victory can then resurrect his hopes of a clash with the Klitschko brothers Vitali and Wladimir, who hold the WBC and IBF/WBO belts
respectively.

'David packs a lot of power and I think he can do to Valuev what no-one else has done and knock him out in sensational fashion,' Hatton said.

'When he does that, he can sit down at the negotiating tables with the Klitschko brothers again and he's got a lot more pulling power then.'

[Of Londonz Illest]

theyre all mates with each other, so obviously hatton is going to back haye, because he dont want to upset his mate, just like lennox lewis as well saying haye will win, they wont tell you their real thoughts, its like that sky sports interviewer asked lewis "can haye bring the belt home for britain?" and I mean you are basically holding the guy youre interviewing hostage, Lewis is not going to say "no he cant bring it home for britain" lol and obviously lennox said "yes he can" :-s