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Team Valuev hits back
Russian ready to let his fists do the talking
Last updated: 3rd November 2009
Mask: Haye winds Valuev up again
I feel wonderful. I am ready and fit to box. I have had enough training and enough to box with Haye - nothing special.
Nikolai Valuev
Quotes of the week
WBA Heavyweight title
David Haye v Nikolai Valuev
Saturday, November 7
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Nikolai Valuev and his team have hit back at David Haye's jibes ahead of their WBA heavyweight showdown.
The Londoner has claimed dirty tricks after insisting he swap hotels from the one promoters Sauerland had assigned him and then went on to produce a special pad made from a ghoul mask in his public workout - for which Haye turned up late.
Trainer Adam Booth told the watching public: "This is Valuev. This is how we have prepared for him."
It is the latest in a long line of digs designed to get under the giant Russian's skin but Valuev insists he is not bothered - and will let his fists do his talking in the Nuremberg Arena on Saturday.
"I don't care whether he can sleep or not," he said.
Wonderful
"And I don't really care about what hotel he stays in. I am really looking forward to Saturday night when I will meet him in the ring and defend my title.
"I cannot wait to land a few heavy blows on him.
"I feel wonderful. I am ready and fit to box. I have had enough training and enough to box with Haye - nothing special."
Haye has sinced move to a town-centre hotel after complaining of being too far out and unhappy with the beds at his original accommodation.
But Team Sauerland, co-promoters of Saturday's fight and the management company behind Valuev insist it is a sign that he is worried about the giant task ahead.
"Now you know why neither Nikolai nor anybody else at Team Sauerland has taken Haye's insults and provocations seriously," said general manager Chris Meyer.
"He clearly talks too much and has an interesting way of seeing things.
"With just five days between now and the fight, he might be getting nervous and is starting to lose his sleep."
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Comments (6)
Ivan Klithkoff says...
Valuev - 56 heavy weight fights, 55 won, 1 lost. Haye - 22 won, 1 lost, out of those 22 almost all before he joined heavy weight championships. Hopefully Valuev will not only win but will knockout haye out to teach him a lesson about good manners and showing some respect for his sporting partners. There is no space for insults in the real sport. haye is a nervous clown
Posted 00:08 6th November 2009
Steve Schofield says...
Being English I would like to see David Haye win on Saturday night.......however as aboxing fan I hope Valuev gives Haye a lesson in the ring. The fact is that David Haye is not good enough to be world champion and doesn't really deserve a shot at the title either after having only 1 fight at heavyweight against an American nobody. Also for the sake of dignity Valuev must KO Haye as his antics in the build-up to this fight have been too far below the belt.
Posted 23:00 5th November 2009
Jack Smith says...
None of those boxers are anywhere near the size of valuev though.
Posted 12:03 4th November 2009
Rob Davis says...
I would love for David Haye to win, of course. The only problem is that to be completely honest, he isn't good enough. Not a case of whether Haye will lose, but more of how much damage Valuev will do to him before he knocks Haye out.
Posted 10:18 4th November 2009
Si Knight says...
The only person getting a good nights sleep will be Nikolai on Saturday night , sprawled out on his nice comfy canvas mattress.He might step over the ropes to enter , but I just hope they have long stretchers and strong carriers as thats how he'll be leaving. Haye has the X factor!.
Posted 09:51 4th November 2009
Bernard Gordon says...
I have watched Boxing for the last 50 years and have some wonderful memories of previous Heavyweight Championship fights. The two fights that spring to mind are the Jess Willard v Jack Dempsey one at the time Jack was no bigger than David Haye and Jess Willard was a giant. The other fight that comes to mind is the one between Maxi Baer and Primo Canera, again Max was about the size of David and again Primo was a giant and in both contests the little guy won by KO's, lets hope that keeps true for David and he brings thje title back to the UK.
Posted 20:29 3rd November 2009