by James Slater – David Haye has been relatively quiet as of late, as he has been preparing himself for his November 7th clash with the colossal Nikolai Valuev. Today, however, “The Hayemaker,” inactive since his 5th-round stoppage win over Monte “Two Gunz” Barrett, has spoken to Sky Sports. In speaking to the T.V channel that will put out his WBA title challenge on pay-per-view, Haye has made it clear a win over the huge Russian will only be the start of his heavyweight dominance. The former cruiserweight ruler from London is still as ambitious as ever when it comes to reigning as the undisputed heavyweight champion, and the 28-year-old says the KO win he will score over Valuev will put him in a great position to be able to fight Wladimir Klitschko next year – Wladimir, of course, being the man he should have fought back in June..
“My job is to knock out Nikolai Valuev and become the heavyweight champion of the world,” Haye said. “I will be the first British champion since Lennox Lewis and that has always been my aim, to be a two-weight world champion. I was undisputed cruiserweight champion and my plan is to go up in weight and do what only one other fighter in history has done – that’s Evander Holyfield – and then become the undisputed world heavyweight champion.
“The Valuev fight is the next step.”
Haye then went on to talk briefly about the June date with IBF and WBO champion Klitschko that fell through due to his back injury.
“I was due to fight Wladimir Klitschko but picked up a back injury and that fight will have to wait until next year,” Haye said. “It works out quite well though as by the time we fight each other it will be for a unification of the world heavyweight championships.”
It sounds as though Haye is not only confident he will beat WBA champ Valuev, but it also sounds as though he feels he will have no trouble in getting a second date with Wladimir worked out. But will “Dr Steel Hammer” want to work with Haye in the future after all the problems that befell their last negotiations? Also of interest is the fact that Haye failed to mention WBC Vitali Klitschko – who, of course, he also pulled out of fighting this year, claiming the conditions of the contract, had he agreed to them, would have made him a “slave fighter.”
But to be undisputed champion Haye will have to beat both Klitschkos. Will either brother have the patience to sit down at the negotiating table with Haye in 2010 after everything that happened (or didn’t happen – in the ring, that is) in 2009?
Also, it’s no dead cert that Haye beats Valuev, is it? November 7th’s fight will be most interesting.