Monte Barrett launched a remarkable tirade of abuse at David Haye and his promotion of their heavyweight clash.
American unhappy with trreatment ahead of clash
Monte Barrett launched a remarkable tirade of abuse at David Haye and his promotion of their heavyweight clash at the O2 Arena in London on Saturday night.
The fight represents former cruiserweight champion Haye's second experience in the heavyweight division but one that he hopes will propel him to a world title challenge in 2009.
But his American opponent, who challenged WBA champion Nicolay Valuev for the title in 2006, insists he will send the Londoner into early retirement and make him pay for what he says is a sloppy preparation for their 12-round encounter.
"This fight is going to be stopped, I tell you," he said. "Somebody's going home in a body bag and it's not me. David says he's going to quit boxing if I beat him, then he can work on his promotion company because right now it's s***."
Barrett laid into Hayemaker promotions and Haye's trainer and mentor Adam Booth for his shoddy treatment leading up to the fight.
"I respect David for taking me on but as a fighter with a promotional company you've got to treat the fighters right," he continued.
"We have no signed contract for this fight. I know David wants it just as bad as I do but there's a rematch clause in the contract and I want to tell David man to man, once I knock you out I'll give you a rematch but I don't see why I should do it for less money than I'm getting now?
"This is about business. They've got me in a s***** hotel, they had me fly here business class, not first, and I'm a heavyweight but they give me £30 a day to eat. It costs me £22 for dinner. I'm in a 14 by 14 room.
"Adam is wearing too many hats. You're the trainer, you're the manager, you're the promoter and you're the friend. You've got to cut one of those hats out."
Then he turned on Haye's American sparring partners Terry Smith and Zuri Lawrence, claiming: "They're no good. I knocked Lawrence out cold for 15 minutes in training and Smith too. I'm no joke man."
However, Haye was largely unmoved throughout, and is clearly intent on making a statement to the boxing world on Saturday.
"It will be sorted on Saturday night when you get stretchered out," he said. "I don't want you to go in there and run, I want you to stand and fight like a man because I want to knock you out."
Afterwards, Haye reflected further on Barrett's abusive comments, adding: "It's pretty sad really and just confirms he's not the mean, rugged guy that he's made out.
"He claims he's this warrior then spends 15 minutes moaning about everything. It seems like he's looking for a way out.
"People thought I was an exciting, entertaining fighter at cruiserweight but you haven't seen anything yet."
