Wednesday 1 March 2017 12:37, UK
David Haye might have become "battle-softened" before his upcoming fight with Tony Bellew, says former trainer Adam Booth.
'The Hayemaker' is the favourite to win Saturday's grudge fight with Bellew at The O2, live on Sky Sports Box Office.
But Haye has spent under three rounds in the ring since he beat Dereck Chisora in July 2012 and Booth holds a few lingering concerns about the 36-year-old's physical condition.
"It [his prediction] has to be David Haye, because I've been his coach since he was 16 up to the age of 30-whatever so if I don't pick him now, it will just look like I'm being bitter," Booth told Sky Sports.
"He is very, very heavy handed and we don't know how much fight he has in him, and he won't know until he actually gets tested - especially with his injuries.
Tony is battle-hardened over the past few years, whereas David has probably become battle-softened and the second half could expose that.
"If you are putting smart money on it, you'd have to pick David to win early, but if Tony can cope with that heavy-handedness and drag him into a fight after the mid-stage...
"Tony is battle-hardened over the past few years, whereas David has probably become battle-softened and the second half could expose that.
"It's definitely a fight of Haye's heavy-handedness and sharp-shooting style, getting to grips with it early and winning, or can Bellew withstand that assault - what is going to get slung on him - and drag it into a dogfight in the second half?"
Haye needed just over two minutes to stop Mark de Mori in his first fight since the well-documented split with Booth, while he was at least extended into the second round before halting most recent opponent Arnold Gjergjaj last May.
Bellew, who is the current WBC cruiserweight champion, is expected to pose a far sterner challenge and Booth believes Haye will have been working hard behind closed doors, despite criticism of his Miami training camp.
"He knows the level he is going to be at now and that he can't turn up like he has for his last two fights," said Booth.
"He would've put in more athletic training, made himself a little bit lighter, quicker, because of the fellows he's been fighting now, he could not train and win.
"But knowing David and how old he is, he knows what he's about, he knows what's best for him, and he'll want to train how he wants to train."
