By PAT SHEEHAN, The Sun
DAVID HAYE will watch Manchester United and Chelsea slug it before trying to united the bitter rivals.
The WBA king takes on American John Ruiz at Manchester's MEN Arena on April 3 — the same day the red and blue Premier League title credentials will be examined at Old Trafford in another heavyweight clash.
Haye wants to pitch up at United for the day's early kick-off, which is being labelled the Brunch Punch, before becoming the first world heavyweight champion to defend his title on British soil since Lennox Lewis a decade ago.
(Watch Pat Sheenan talked about David Haye)
The Hayemaker said: "I'm hoping to get both sets of lads there. It is two vicious rivals but for a boxing match I would want them to put their differences aside.
"This isn't about rival teams. This is about supporting the same guy from Britain. Boxing goes beyond team rivalry.
"I would like to think all the players and fans will be supporting me."
Haye has been pals with United defender Rio Ferdinand since their schooldays in the same area of South London, while Chelsea playmaker Joe Cole is another big fight fan.
Millwall supporter Haye added: "I'm hoping all the Chelsea mob can be there.
"And it would be great if Rio can bring along Wayne Rooney, who I know is a boxing nut, and the rest of the United stars for what should be a terrific night out.
"If I can get a couple of tickets for the United-Chelsea game it would make my day. Maybe I can do my warm-up pitchside during half-time!
"I am not a fighter who sits around all day worrying about what can happen on fight night.
"I usually find something to do — two hours before I won the world title against Nikolai Valuev I was looking at internet sites to see what fans were saying about me."
Lewis was the last British champion to successfully defend his title at the old London Arena in Docklands, when he knocked out Francois Botha in two rounds.
A skinny 19-year-old Haye was ringside that night in July 2000 — but only after he bunked in because he could not afford a ticket.
Haye revealed: "I was at the last world heavyweight title fight in England when Lennox smashed Botha in two rounds. I didn't pay to get in. I bunked through a back door with a couple of mates.
"I was jumping seat to seat to get as close to the ring as I could. I'd sit there until someone came up and said, 'That's my seat'.
"Eventually I reached inner ringside when one of the security guys I knew pointed me in the direction of an empty seat.
"That was the last time Lennox boxed in England. After that he fought all over the world.
"As a kid growing up I thought I would eventually fight Lennox for the world title. Thank God he's retired.
"I remember Lewis-Botha vividly. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be the next world heavyweight champion to defend in Britain.
"People talk about going to fight in Las Vegas, but what American is there coming through to reach the big numbers?
"I want as many big nights in England as I can get — the more the merrier. MEN in April is just the start."
Source: thesun.co.uk
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