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Briton set to raise boxing’s profile

DAVID HAYE is looking to reignite interest in boxing’s flagship division.

Heavyweight title challenger Haye wants to ensure that the decline in boxing’s popularity is a distant memory when he tackles Nikolai Valuev next month.

Haye, the former undisputed cruiserweight champion, will fight the giant Russian Valuev on November 7 for the WBA heavyweight title in a contest that Haye hopes generate excitement for fight fans who have been starved of exciting bouts over the last decade.

The south Londoner admitted that boxing had lost a bit of its appeal but reckons that it will once again capture the public’s imaginations.

Haye told the Voice of Sport: “I think boxing has taken a bit of a nosedive over the last few years but as of late you've had the super six tournament and massive fights have been made like (Floyd) Mayweather – (Ricky) Hatton, (Manny) Pacquiao – (Miguel) Cotto and the heavyweight division is finally making some noise with myself so I think boxing's on the up. “

Haye, 29, spoke about how viewing figures in America correlated with his claim.

“All you got to do is look at the pay per view numbers. Mayweather – (Juan Manuel) Marquez - that was over a million pay per views.

Hatton does great numbers in America and in the UK and I feel that, fingers crossed, if I keep striving for big opponents and great events then, pay per view wise, I will be doing the same sort of thing that Ricky Hatton does.”

* David and Goliath, Haye v Valuev is live in HD on Sky Box Office. Call 08442 410 888 to order.

Published: 26 October 2009
Issue: 1395

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