Lennox Lewis says Audley Harrison has got what it takes to surprise David Haye and snatch his world heavyweight title.
Haye would be wrong to write Harrison off, says British legend
Lennox Lewis says Audley Harrison can cause what would go down as one of British boxing's biggest upsets.
The former three-time world champion has warned David Haye that his one-time friend has the power and the perserverance to pull off a shock win when they meet, live on
Sky Box Office HD and in
3D.
Haye is the overwhelming favourite to win the first world heavyweight showdown between two Britons since Lewis put people's champion Frank Bruno to the sword in seven rounds back in 1993.
But Lewis, who will be part of the
Sky Box Office team in Manchester on Saturday, says the Best of Enemies battle will not be as straightforward as the bookmakers suggest.
"Audley realises this time is now or never," he said. "He sounds very confident.
"Audley's definitely got the power to stun the world and upset everybody's thinking. It's another great fight for Britain
"It will be a good fight. I think David Haye is a better boxer. He can get off his combinations quicker. But Audley is a consummate pro. He is an Olympic champion and that is a great pedigree."
Uncertainty
Lewis was of course watching on when the pair's friendship turned sour after a sparring session in Florida several years ago.
He has advised both - although Haye has not spoken to him since the fight was made - throughout their careers and will be re-united with them both at Friday's weigh-in at the Lowry Theatre, Manchester.
Lewis, the last man to unify the heavyweight division, will be part of our team covering the fight on Saturday night and perhaps in the interests of diplomacy, refused to pick a winner between the two old foes.
But, as a man who saw his world titles taken off him after shock losses to Oliver McCall and Hasim Rahman, he says British boxing could well be in for another major upset.
"Boxing's an uncertainty," he said. "You never know what may happen if he's (Harrison) able to contend with David Haye."
