Haye on a mission

Heavyweight domination on the agenda

Last updated: 9th March 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Haye on a mission

Haye: Time to move up

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David Haye has vowed to 'set the world alight' when he moves up to the heavyweight division following his stunning second round knockout of Enzo Maccarinelli.

'The Hayemaker' unified the title at cruiserweight by adding the WBO strap to his WBC and WBA belts in London in the early hours of Sunday morning, and now intends to earn a heavyweight title shot.

In a division lacking star quality, the Bermondsey bomber rightly fancies his chances of making a big name for himself after impressing the American networks with his swift stoppage of Maccarinelli.

The 27-year-old has now earned 20 of his 21 wins by way of knockout and believes that sort of power will shock the current list of heavyweight champions and contenders.

"I'm ready to go up there and start taking on the heavyweights now," Haye said. "I've achieved all I can in the cruiserweight division, and it's time to go up and fight the best possible opponents and knock them out.

"I've always aspired to be the best at everything I do. I said from day one I'd become undisputed number one at cruiserweight. Now it's time for me to move up to heavyweight and do the same thing.

"The Americans have a craving for an exciting heavyweight - someone who can really fight and is willing to put it on the line. I hope they'll realise that's me, and I'll set the world alight.

"I'd fight Wladimir Klitschko in his next fight. I watched his pitiful effort in his last fight against Sultan Ibragimov, which was embarrassing. He won't be looking forward to fighting someone like me.

"I've probably got two-and-a-half years to get the job done. I don't plan on fighting into my 31st year. I believe that by then I will have achieved everything I want to achieve.

"Too many fighters out there have gone on too long. For instance, one of my idols Roy Jones went on too late - and it ruined his legacy. I'd like to build a legacy and retire with it intact. That's my ultimate goal."