LONDON -- David Haye wants to bring credibility back to
world heavyweight boxing once he has unified the cruiserweight
titles.
Haye defends his WBC and WBA cruiserweight titles against WBO
champion Enzo Maccarinelli on Saturday in what he said will be his
last fight at the lighter weight.
The two big-punching Brits go head-to-head at the O2 Arena in
London in a bout being broadcast live in the United States, and
Haye promises to give American fans something to remember.
"They are going to see the future of the heavyweight
division," Haye said Tuesday.
"This is my final fight as a cruiserweight and I will be
signing off with a bang. This will whet their appetites because
they're going to see some real good fights coming up in the next
couple of years."
With only one loss in 21 fights, Haye has been taken the
distance only once while Maccarinelli (28-1), is unbeaten in 25
contests. Both fighters are heavy punchers but have suspect chins
so the fight is unlikely to go anywhere near the full 12 rounds.
"The anticipation for this fight is crazy. If the public
weren't interested in it, I would be fighting at heavyweight,"
said Haye, who had been looking to move to a fight against former
world heavyweight champion Hasim Rahman. "People want these
fights, that's why it's happening.
"One hundred percent Saturday's fight is my last fight as a
cruiserweight. There isn't another fight at cruiserweight worth
talking about. I am sure Enzo will be looking for a rematch. If he
wants to fight me, he will have to do it at heavyweight."
Haye, who took the WBC and WBA titles from Jean-Marc Mormeck in
Paris in November, has been struggling to make the 200-pound
cruiserweight limit and feels he will be comfortable taking his
punching strength up a division.
"I can bring a bit of power," said Haye, who stopped Mormeck
in seven rounds. "I was watching a recent world title fight
(Wladimir Klitschko beating Sultan Ibragimov on points) and I was
ashamed to see one of the worst showings of a boxing match I have
ever seen in my life. It was embarrassing. I was ashamed to be a
boxer watching it.
"There were a lot people walking out of what was supposed to be
a heavyweight world title fight. You've got a big guy (Klitschko),
6-foot-6, all the power in the world and he's scared to throw
punches against a little southpaw. He's supposed to be the best in
the division but, if that's the best I've got to worry about, then
I might be able to get that undisputed title at heavyweight very
quickly."
Before that, Haye has to take care of Maccarinelli, who comes
from the same training camp in Wales as world super-middleweight
champion Joe Calzaghe.
"I've prepared for a tougher fight (than Mormeck) but I don't
expect it," Haye said. "Mormeck is short, squat, powerful. Enzo's
a lot taller, skinnier and there's a lot more of him to hit. With
Mormeck you have to open him up to hit. With Enzo, I think he'll be
standing right in front of me, hopefully throwing loads of
punches."