Audley Harrison says David Haye needs an early knockout against John Ruiz as he is not in good enough shape to go the distance, while also claiming 'The Hayemaker' is not a big name in the heavyweight division.
Harrison fights Michael Sprott for the vacant European title on April 9 at Alexandra Palace, just six days after Haye defends his world title in Manchester.
Haye fights veteran American Ruiz on April 3 at the MEN Arena, live on Sky Box Office, but Harrison thinks he may have underestimated his opponent.
The former Olympic champion has seen Haye in training and does not think he is in good enough shape to go the distance, so needs an early KO to retain his WBA title.
"I watched a training session of David Haye from Sky Sports and his timing is off. He's also carrying excess weight," said Harrison.
Long night
"I know David very well and mark my words, if he doesn't blast out Ruiz early, which is possible, then it'll be a tough night. Golden Boy have also signed Ruiz, so they are in with the winner and out with the winner.
"But it's a funny old game and if it doesn't go well for David on Saturday night then who knows what the future holds for him."
Prizefighter winner Harrison thinks he can get a world title shot if he claims the European strap, but he would not be going after Haye if he did.
Instead, California-based Harrison says he would want to fight Wladimir Klitschko or his brother Vitali, claiming that Haye is not a big enough fight for him.
"The heavyweight division is desperately looking for marquee names and, no disrespect to David Haye, but no one in the US is talking about David Haye," added 38-year-old Harrison.
Klitschkos
"They're all talking about the Klitschkos
and no one is giving David Haye any play as a world champion so the guys I want to fight are the Klitschkos."If you get a chance against David Haye then people will say 'you now have to beat the Klitschkos', so if I beat Sprott, I want the Klitschkos.
"The fight with Sprott is obviously huge for me because when I get revenge and lift the title it puts me straight in line for a shot at the world title.
"People are talking about me fighting David Haye at Wembley but, with all due respect to David, outside of the UK no one is talking about him - it's the Klitschkos they see as the real heavyweight champions so dethroning one of them is what I really want."
Source: skysports.com
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