Detroit Ring Legend Tommy Hearns Is Supporting Dirrell, Buts Says Tonight's Fight With Abraham Could Go Either Way -- Eastside Boxing

By James Slater, Eastside Boxing

Though Andre Dirrell hails from Flint, Michigan, and will box his Detroit debut tonight, The Motor City will surely accept him as their newest boxing hero if he manages to defeat the mighty Arthur Abraham in the latest instalment of the "Super-Six" super-middleweight Boxing Classic tournament.

Having trained for tonight's big fight at the legendary Kronk gym, the gifted switch-hitter who goes by the nickname of "The Matrix" has also enjoyed some support and encouragement from two Kronk heroes of yesteryear - the legendary Thomas "The Hitman" Hearns and William "Caveman" Lee.

Hearns was at the weigh-in for the big fight and, after being given a rapturous round of applause and briefly speaking about how much the city of Detroit means to him, the former multi-weight world champion gave his take on Dirrell Vs. Abraham..

"It will be real close," Hearns told The Detroit Free Press. "I like both fighters, but I've got to go with Andre. He's got the skill and moves. But anyone can win this. You've got to come and fight the right fight."

Hearns, looking great in a smart suit, also recalled his own initial world title-win, when he made Detroit so proud by blasting out the fearsome Pipino Cuevas to win the WBA welterweight crown in August of 1980 - a win that both thrilled and served to restore pride to The Motor City. Can Dirrell score a great win of his own in the city tonight?

One other Detroit legend who thinks so is Caveman Lee; who said he also expects a good fight, but a wining one for "The Matrix."

"It's going to be a good fight," said the man who once challenged middleweight king Marvellous Marvin Hagler. "Abraham is a slugger and is very strong. But I like the home team. Andre will outbox him. I think it will be Dirrell by decision."

As for the two fighters themselves, both men are full of confidence and are assuring victory. Can Dirrell, with his tricky style, offset the bigger puncher, score punches of his own to get respect and come on to win on points? Or will the physically stronger Abraham prove to be way too powerful, too rock solid and too determined to allow the local man to box his fight?

In a few hours, we will have our answer!

One thought that did occur to me, when reading about the great Hearns, though, was how superb a "Super-Six" tournament would have been had there been one back in Tommy's 168-pound days. Imagine "The Hitman," who battled guys like Sugar Ray Leonard, James Kinchen and the like at the weight, going up against Abraham, Dirrell, Carl Froch and the other Boxing Classic entrants. How would Hearns have done against today's best 168-pounders? I have my opinion, and I think Tommy would have done pretty well to say the least.

Source: eastsideboxing.com

Morales went out a HERO.. but he comes back a FOOL -- Mirror

By Barry Mcguigan, Mirror.co.uk

Erik Morales stands third in my all-time list of Mexican fighters behind Julio Cesar Chavez and Marco Antonio Barrera. That is how highly I rate him.

His first fight with Barrera is in my top 10 bouts of all time, an unbelievable meeting of fire and brimstone inside the ropes.

Morales is the last man to beat Manny Pacquiao five years ago but then he went on the slide, losing the next four fights before retiring.

There is no doubt that hanging up the gloves two and a half years ago was the right thing to do.

Tonight in Monterrey, El Terrible is returning to the ring aged 34 against a Nicaraguan journeyman called Jose Alfaro.

What is going on? There is no worse sight in sport than a shot fighter yearning for the past, a shadow of his former self.

In my 15 years as president of the Professional Boxers Association this was the biggest problem I had to address.

Next week Roy Jones Jnr takes on Bernard Hopkins 17 years after their first meeting. Jones reckons he will knock out Hopkins. It would be laughable if it were not so serious.

Morales conceded on retirement that he had taken too many punches to warrant extending his career. What has happened since then to change his mind?

Those punches have not gone away. He is no less susceptible to the dangers of long-term, slowonset impairment. He says he is targeting a fourth fight with Pacquiao. He must be dreaming. Pacquaio himself is hinting at retirement, doubtless to smoke out Floyd Mayweather.

But he won't hang around to beat up an old pug who cannot adhere to basic referee's instructions - defend yourself at all times.

The best outcome tonight would be a resounding victory for Alfaro. Sadly, that is unlikely given his pedigree.

It is a bad end to a sad week. My phone has been ringing off the hook with people wanting to discuss the passing of Harry Carpenter. Harry had been out of the limelight for 16 years, yet people remember him as if it were yesterday.

He went out at the top is no of his game and died in his sleep, aged 84. I would sign for that right now.

I recall Harry saying how he thought I had done the right thing when I retired. He was pleased I got out in good shape.

Morales is walking a tightrope that leads only one way - to misery and failure.

I prefer to remember him at his peak, standing toe to toe with Barrera going flat out to the finish. I have rarely seen such raw power and ferocity reciprocated so skilfully. They went through the full canon of boxing skills.

Morales not only hit like a mule, he could take a punch too.

He went out a hero and comes back a fool. Boxing is a young man's game.

Source: mirror.co.uk

Drug Testing For HGH: Scientifically Valid or Just Politically Correct? -- SecondsOut

By Patrick C. English, SecondsOut.com

The Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather Jr debacle has led to an incredible amount of posturing and, as a result, misinformation and incomplete information. This posturing has been under the guise of a campaign for a drug-free sport, something we all favor. But the posturing obscures the scientific truth.

First, the best experts in the field report there is no good test for HGH. At present, there is no urine test that works. And Dr. Don H. Caitlin, head of the UCLA Olympic Analytical Lab and for many years one of the most knowledgeable experts in the area - possibly the most knowledgeable – has stated that he believes blood testing is impractical. He points out that, out of 1,500 blood tests, only one came back positive for HGH despite a well-founded suspicion that HGH use is far more prevalent. In part, this is because the detection limit is short, about 24 hours. In other words, the athlete would have had to use HGH within approximately 24 hours of the test to actually be caught.

Further, the one athlete who was “busted” for HGH after testing admitted to use. Many scientists do not believe that, if it came to proving the scientific validity of the WADA drug testing protocols for HGH in Court or before an arbitrator, the results would survive legal challenge based upon scientific validity. Dr. Peter Sonksen, a pioneer in the field of HGH testing, says “There’s very little new [data verifying the WADA test], and I think it would be quite easy for a lawyer to draw “cart and horses through it in Court.” This charge is echoed by epidemiologist Dr. Charles E. Yesalis of Penn State, who contends that the scientific data to back the testing protocols is insufficient to the point of being “almost criminal.”

Dr. Caitlin has said flatly that the method of testing used by WADA “alone doesn’t work. It’s political. The whole thing is political.”

Further, anyone who has ever been involved in Olympic style testing knows its flaws and limitations. Blood tests, if done randomly, are exceedingly infrequent. Athletes who are subject to in-and-out-of-competition testing go years with no blood tests (though urine testing is another matter).

Further, unannounced Olympic-style testing involves a level of intrusion that few professional athletes can or would countenance. As an example, spur of the moment activities must be reported to WADA, according to the rules, 24 hours in advance. If an athlete decides to go to the shore on a sunny day, to go to assist a friend, or any of the plethora of activities of which we all partake every week, it must be reported to WADA in advance. This is tough enough to do with college athletes, more or less captive on campuses and virtually impossible with professionals with normal lives. In recognition of its difficulty, athletes are permitted to miss three tests due to unavailability before action is taken. That brings us right back to the testing protocols. If HGH is detectable for only 24 hours, all an athlete needs to do is to arrange to be unavailable for testing the following day. Chances are overwhelmingly small that any test will be taken the following day. But if one is to be taken, the athlete can simply make himself unavailable that day without penalty.

Further, the Olympic process is slow. The example of one Olympic level athlete is illustrative. Jessica Hardy, a swimmer, gave a urine sample on July 4, 2008. It was not until July 23 that she was notified of the failed drug test. She initially challenged the result and thus had the right to a hearing. That hearing began on August 1, 2008, when she withdrew her challenge. Thus it took approximately three weeks before she was even notified (resulting from the need to test the “B” sample) and four weeks before the matter was resolved. The Hardy matter involved a steroid with established scientific validity and an admission. If, as claimed by Dr. Sonksen there are flaws in the methodology for HGH testing, a legal challenge will take very considerably longer.

Whether Jessica Hardy was allowed to compete or not, the Olympics were going to proceed and her situation had no impact on its promotion. However, the same is not true of a boxing promotion. We have seen far too many situations when results from an “A” sample and from a “B” sample do not correspond (thus both need to be tested) and even situations from reputable labs where contamination, later discovered, made results unreliable. This is why the due process of a hearing is necessary. By the time this is completed, a boxing event will have either already taken place or been irretrievably destroyed.

Drs. Caitlin, Sonksen and Yesalis are not advocates for abuse of drugs in sport. To the contrary, they are respected researchers who have done much to attempt to eliminate performance enhancing drugs in sport. Dr. Caitlin heads the most respected drug testing laboratory in the United States and developed the test which broke the Balco scandal. Dr. Sonksen is a fellow of the Royal Society of Physicians with some 315 scientific publications, many on this very topic. Dr. Yesalis co-authored the first comprehensive surveys of teen steroid use.

Caitlin, Sonksen, and others are working on legitimate, more reliable tests for HGH. While it may appear politically correct and provide a good “sound bite” to jump on the bandwagon for drug-free sports, the truth is that the blood testing suggested for HGH is, at best, limited and impractical and at worst scientifically suspect. Efforts should be toward developing tests that work and then implementing them; not in pretending that there are good and generally accepted scientifically valid testing techniques when there are not.

Patrick C. English, Esq. is an attorney with the firm of Dines and English, L.L.C. He has handled numerous matters involving drug testing and drug testing protocols, both on behalf of athletes as well as defending testing protocols.

Source: secondsout.com

Magical night for Hatton -- Sky Sports

Sky Sports

Matthew Hatton stepped out of the shadows of older brother Ricky by claiming the vacant European welterweight title with a points win over Gianluca Branco.

The Mancunian, fighting at short notice, dominated after a shaky opening round at the Goresbrook Leisure Centre in Dagenham.

Having felt robbed on the scorecards against Lovemore N'dou last November, 'Magic' this time got the nod on the scorecards by a landslide.

All three judges gave it to the 28-year-old, the closest being a 115-113 scoreline. The other two had it 116-112 and 117-111 in Hatton's favour.

Fantastic
"It feels fantastic," he told Sky Sports afterwards. "I've had a lot of bad luck in my career but I always knew that I was capable of this.

"I always knew that if I stepped up in class I could do better. I can box better than that tonight but I'm very pleased to beat a world-class fighter.

"I was out-working him...I was boxing his ears off to be honest with you. When I was boxing and moving, he didn't lay a glove on me."

Hatton's victory means he follows in the footsteps of Miguel Angel Cotto and Artugo Gatti to become just the third man to beat the experienced Italian.

To do so he had to overcome a wobble in the opening round, a big right rocking him backwards a step or two towards the ropes.

But while his opponent looked to load up in an attempt to find a repeat of that punch, Hatton worked diligently behind the jab to open up a sizeable lead.

By the 11th Branco - sporting a badly swollen right eye as well as a small cut underneath it, knew that he needed a knockout. He marched forward and briefly found the Brit in the mood to stand toe-to-toe.

However a verbal volley from trainer Bob Shannon soon put Hatton back on the right path, allowing him to coast through the final three minutes.

Proud
Brother and promoter Ricky was delighted for his younger sibling, admitting he had almost lost his voice having been shouting instructions from his seat.

"Thank God that is over," he admitted afterwards. "I'm so proud.

"I know for a fact that he wanted to chuck the towel in a few years ago but I said to him 'listen, you're going to be a late bloomer. You've had no amateur experience really, stick at it and you're going to get your just rewards'.

"That's what he has done tonight. What a success story, because he's gone from maybe a six-to-eight round type to a European champion."

Source: skysports.com

Hatton claims European welterweight title -- ESPN

ESPN.co.uk

Matthew Hatton is the new European welterweight champion after he outboxed the wily figure of Gianluca Branco to take a unanimous points decision on Friday. The three judges scored the bout 117-111, 115-113 and 116-112 in Hatton's favour.

Cornered by brother Ricky, Matthew Hatton recovered from a wobbly opening round to dictate the pace of the fight against veteran Branco, who is 10 years the Mancunian's superior. That age gap showed as Hatton was quicker to the punch throughout the fight, working the jab and the body shot particularly effectively.

Branco, known for his counter-punching ability, rocked Hatton early in the first round, forcing the Briton to hold on in order to regain his senses. However, from the third round onwards it was Hatton who fought the better fight, frustrating the Italian by making him miss with alarming frequency.

By the sixth round, Hatton was 1/8 to finish victorious, with Branco now only registering the odd good right. Hatton's corner continued to order him to fight every round as if it was his last and, while it was barely a siege produced by "Magic", it was undoubtedly dominant in front of the eyes of the judges.

Branco gave it all he had in the final two rounds, looking for a desperation knockout, but he could not stop Matthew adding the European belt to the world title already previously won by Ricky in the Hatton household.

"It feels fantastic," said Hatton to Sky Sports. "I've had a lot of bad luck over the years, but I always knew I was capable of this. I can box better than I did tonight but that was a world class opponent and I'm over the moon.

"I was outworking him, and I boxed his ears off to be honest. When I boxed and moved, he didn't lay a glove on me."

Source: espn.co.uk

Brothers at war? No way -- The Sun

By FRANK WARREN, The Sun

ANOTHER weekend and another routine win for one of the Klitschko brothers in a heavyweight division stagnating quicker than Geoff Hoon's career.

Wladimir's 12th-round KO of Eddie Chambers in Germany was watched at a stadium venue by more than 50,000 people.

This is the second week running that boxing has attracted huge live audiences, but it was no more than an exhibition.

In fact until trainer Manny Steward goaded him and said "you do not need another f****** decision" did he move out of safety first mode and stop Chambers.

And don't expect big brother Vitali's clash with Albert Sosnowski - one of the least deserving world title challengers ever - to be any better.

Until Wladimir and Vitali fight each other, then the heavyweight division will continue to mark time because I don't believe the general public know which brother is which!

The Klitschko brothers - perfectly understandably - don't want to trade blows, so we're in a stalemate.

They could face a legitimate contender or two though, with David Haye and Nikolay Valuev the most obvious choices. Yet those contests seem no nearer to happening.

Wladimir's fight on Saturday wasn't even shown on US TV. Can you imagine a big heavyweight fight back in the 1980s and 1990s not being shown in America?

Yet it is becoming increasingly hard to get fights on HBO or Showtime, with David Haye's clash against John Ruiz next weekend also facing a US blackout.

Talking of Haye, it looks like the Sauerland - the German promotional firm that has options over him - will force him to face Valuev in a rematch. Although it bagged him the world title, we don't want a repeat.

So the search is on for a young gun to challenge the Klitschkos' dominance, although at the age of 33, Wladimir will be around for a while.

Wily old fox Bob Arum believes he has found one in Cuban, Odlanier Solis, 26.

My two prospects, Sam Sexton and Derek Chisora, are a lot younger, but if they keep winning they've got as good a chance as anyone of getting a shot!

Source: thesun.co.uk

Eveready, not Everlast: Edwin Valero's apologists work OT

By Michael Marley, Examiner.com

COPENHAGEN--Anyone know the difference between Santa's industrious elves and the team of apologists who work for constantly troubled world lightweight champion Edwin Valero?

That's easy, actually. Santa's Little Helpers only have bust their hump in the Christmas season while Valero's Excuse Makers are on 7/24/365 call.

Valero's handlers have to be always at the ready and it looks like they are in midseason form in the Venezuelan's lastest burst of negative publicity.

As you likely know, Valero's lovely wife, mother of their two children, is in a Los Andes hospital being treated for a collapsed lung and multiple bruises.

On with Valero's myriad excuses:

1.His wife fell down the stairs, a household accident

2.Actually, she slipped on a roller skate on the stairs

3.Did we mention her other foot made contact with a banana peel on the way down?

4.(DUI arrest, Las Vegas) Edwin wasn't drunk, the car was intoxicated

5.Did we mention this was after the Manny Pacquiao-Ricky Hatton bout and Edwin had bet a bundle that Ricky would make it into round three?

6.(Weapon arrest) The gun wasn't loaded, only Valero was

7.Edwin thought it was a kid's toe, a cap pistol, a water gun, something like that

8.(Charges of abusing mother, sister, later dropped) Edwin was short on sparring partners, thought mom and sis might tune him up

9.(For all) Edwin is highly upset that Pacquiao is filthy rich (not to be confused with that sketchy Mayweather rap label) and he is not

10.(For all his peccadilloes) Whaddya want, Edwin has bain damage, I mean brain damage, from that motorycle accident years ago

I hate to be skeptical but does anyone think the wife will press charges?

I didn't think so.

I really can't comprehend why we wouldn't immediately admit such an outstanding citizen of Venezuela any of border entry points.

Valero better bring the whole entourage, including the everyready apologists along with him.

Remember, their motto:

Nothing is ever, ever Edwin's fault.

Got it?

(mlcmarley@aol.com)

Source: examiner.com

Matthew Hatton decisions Gianluca Branco

Boxing News World

Manchester’s Matthew Hatton grabbed the European welterweight title via unanimous decision victory over two-time world title contender Gianluca Branco just seconds ago at Goresbrook Leisure Centre in Dagenham in London, England.

Hatton (now 39-4-2 with 15 knockouts), a decade younger than his Italian rival, controlled most of the rounds of the 12-round fight throwing effective left jabs and hooks after a wobbly first few minutes.

The 39 year-old Branco (now 43-3-1, 22 KOs) suffered his third career defeat. He was knockout by Miguel Angel Cotto in 2006 trying to win the Puerto Rican WBO light-welterweight belt. He also lost to the late Arturo Gatti in 2004 when they fought for the vacant WBC light-welterweight title.

-Marshall N. B., marx7204@lycos.com

I'm ready to go the distance if needed, vows Tua -- Stuff

By DUNCAN JOHNSTONE, The Dominion Post

Knockout artist David Tua says he's prepared to go the distance if that's what it takes to beat Friday Ahunanya.

The two heavyweights square off over 12 rounds at the Trusts Stadium in Waitakere on Wednesday.

They fronted a large media conference in Auckland yesterday, at which both camps aired confidence for a fight that will be vital to the future of the two veterans.

Given his punching power, pedigree of opponents and experience, Tua is a warm favourite to defend his WBO Asia-Pacific and Oriental belts.

The TAB have him at $1.12 to win, against Ahunanya's $5.25. A Tua knockout is the favoured method of victory, at $1.20, with a decision to Tua over the 12 rounds paying $5.50. And the odds favour an early finish to the fight, with a knockout in the first or second rounds the most likely.

Tua wasn't prepared to endorse that yesterday, but said he was ready to win by any means. "I'm well prepared physically and mentally.

"It's a 12-round fight and I am very well prepared for 12 rounds. If a knockout happens, it happens, but I'm ready for anything.

"I know it's a very important fight for me and I've prepared accordingly. I'm very positive, very confident."

Tua believed his training camp for this fight was the best of his lengthy career, hence his confidence about pushing into the later rounds if required.

His American trainer, Roger Bloodworth, hinted that might even be beneficial to Tua's future, given the quickfire nature of his devastating second-round knockout of Shane Cameron in his last fight that ended two years in the wilderness because of court battles.

"As a trainer you always like to get a win on board as quickly as you can.

"But from a practical point of view I wouldn't mind it going 12 rounds," Bloodworth said.

"That's one of the reasons why we are fighting Friday, because he is very durable and has never been knocked down. This is a good test for David and we have worked on everything because we have a world-class opponent.

"But I couldn't be happier with David's attitude or his readiness."

Tua doesn't have a rich history of going the distance. Of his 50 wins, 43 have been by knockout. His three losses, to Lennox Lewis, Chris Byrd and Ike Ibeabuchi, have all been by points decisions after being forced to the final bell.

The Ahunanya camp is certainly prepared for a one-dimensional approach from Tua, making that very clear yesterday, although emphasising they had the ability to adjust.

"David Tua just fights one way he just comes forward," said Ahunanya's manager-trainer, Luis Tapia.

"But every fight is a different fight and we will see what happens. We will go round-by-round and we will be changing plans if we need to.

"It's going to be a great fight, a great night. I think this will be one of the fights of the year in the heavyweight division."

With both boxers in their late 30s, and time running out, they know an impressive victory will push their cause for a world title fight in a heavyweight division presently lacking charisma and competitiveness.

Source: stuff.co.nz

Tua ducks under the trash talk -- New Zealand Herald

By Chris Rattue, New Zealand Herald

David Tua has taken aim at Friday Ahunanya's trainer as final preparations begin for their heavyweight clash on Wednesday.

Ahunanya has been a modestly confident character since arriving in Auckland a week ago, leaving the trash talk to corner man Luis Tapia.

Tapia has jumped into a Luis the Lip role, labelling Tua "chicken" after fight delays and scoffing at the Aucklander's victory over Shane Cameron.

"The nasty guy in this fight is me," Tapia told the Weekend Herald.

Tua responded during an interview in his Onehunga gym, saying the Las Vegas-based Tapia was further damaging his boxer's prospects.

"I read those things ... it is a good read sometimes. It's like a comedy, something to laugh about, to be totally honest," Tua said.

"Sadly, trainers like that who do a lot of talk put so much pressure on their fighter to perform sometimes that it doesn't work out for them.

"What his trainer has done can get fighters hurt ... if that works for him so be it, but he's got to do a lot more than that to get under my skin. I've been in the limelight and enjoyed all those sorts of things but really, that sort of stuff just isn't me."

Tua said he was primed for the fight at West Auckland's Trusts Stadium, although it was vital that he get in top fight mode in the remaining days.

Tua believed he reconnected with the New Zealand audience through the brilliant two-round demolition of Cameron in Hamilton.

"We are entering the very important part where I could lose it - you can't get too relaxed or comfortable," he said.

"A lot of hard work has gone into this camp and you've got to keep the engine going.

"Every fight has its own motivation ... A week after the Cameron fight I was shopping and I could see from the corner of my eye a little boy staring at me as his mother tried to get him to stay away from the road.

"I went over and said hello and he said 'You're the Tuaman'.

"I said 'I hope so' ... and he said 'good fight'.

"That really hit me - I think there was a lost generation of supporters and something simple like meeting that kid was a very emotional encounter for me. The fight with Shane Cameron reignited my career in some ways. But you can't dwell on your last fight."

Tua, who praised the contribution of his imported sparring partners Israel Garcia and Harold Sconiers, said he was prepared to go the distance against Ahunanya.

"He is a counter puncher, he has a good jab and I think he is also a lot stronger than what his record shows. I know he is coming to fight," said Tua.

"I can't just worry about his jab. You have to look at the whole picture. I'm very aware of the type of fighter that he is and what he will bring.

"I'm well-prepared mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually. God willing on fight night, all will go well.

"The way the Cameron fight went just happened. It wasn't planned that way and I'm ready to go 12 rounds this time.

"This is a very important fight for me and needs to be approached with respect - I'm certainly not overlooking this guy. A loss would have a bad effect on my career.

"I believe my power is as good as it's ever been and my speed has picked up as I got older. I really believe the time I spent away from the ring did a lot of good things. The bright side is that my body didn't take a pounding. It served a purpose - my reflexes and speed are still there."

Source: nzherald.co.nz

Haye Says The Ruiz Fight Will Be Harder Than The Valuev Bout, And That He Expects To Take Some "Abuse" -- Eastside Boxing

By James Slater, Eastside Boxing

Not too long to go now until exciting, recently crowned WBA heavyweight champion David Haye makes the first defence of his title. And as he has been locked away in training camp getting ready for mandatory challenger and former titilst John Ruiz, Haye has been pushing his body to the limit so as to get it in shape for the "abuse" he says he feels it will have to take on April 3rd.

Haye, in speaking to Sport magazine, spoke of how he is fully expecting a tough fight, a fight much tougher physically than the one Russian giant Nikolai Valuev gave him when he took the title with a November points win.. As fans know, Haye came away from that fight with a busted hand, which was a bad enough injury to keep him out of training for a while - but "The Hayemaker" says he's prepared for "a real war" against Ruiz, one that may well see him get roughed up and even cut.

"It's going to be harder than the Valuev fight," Haye said of his upcoming bout. "It's going to be more of a slugfest and I'm expecting to take some abuse in this one, so I'm just preparing my body for the worst. I know he's going to try to rough me up. He comes in real heavy with his head, so I'm expecting to get cut at some stage.

"I know it's going to be a real war so that's what I'm preparing for."

As this fight has got closer, it seems to me, more and more fans have begun to give "The Quiet Man" a real chance of snatching the title. When first announced, Haye-Ruiz hardly thrilled - due, it must be said to the challenger's track record, where he has been guilty of giving fans less than memorable fights - but now that it's almost here, the anticipation of a good fight has grown. And, with Haye talking the way he is about a possible war, maybe we should be expecting a fan-friendly affair at The M.E.N. Arena in Manchester.

Haye certainly doesn't expect Ruiz to fight in a negative manner come fight night; even going as far as to predict some major fireworks!

"His whole career has been boring up to now," Haye said of Ruiz. "I know he's going to be there after 12 rounds, I know I'm going to be there for 12 rounds so you're going to get a really explosive fight. You're going to get fireworks - that's 100-percent."

So, is Haye, by speaking of both he and Ruiz "being there for 12-rounds," suggesting he expects a distance fight? For sure, it would be some impressive win for the Londoner if he were able to become just the second man to have ever halted the Puerto Rican. Maybe a distance fight is what we will get next month - hopefully an entertaining distance fight.

Speaking of being hopeful, the fight (or fights) we all want to see this year is Haye against one or both of the currently all-conquering Klitschko brothers. He's said he's wanted to fight them before now, but Haye again has said his plan is to get it on with either Wladimir and/or Vitali next.

"The plan is to get Ruiz out of the way, get the fights with the Klitschko brothers, and then unify the titles," Haye said. "Wladimir's more vulnerable because he's been knocked out a few times - whereas Vitali hasn't. But then Vitali is older and has well documented knee problems, so he's not as mobile as his younger brother, but he's tougher. They're both beatable."

But can Haye beat Ruiz to set up a fight with a Klitschko? "The Quiet Man" sure will ruin a lot of big plans if he upsets Haye next month. For what it's worth, I see Haye coming through a few sticky patches before winning a fairly wide decision.

Source: eastsideboxing.com