Heavyweights Harrison, Hate Prepare For All-English Slugfest

Manchester, United Kingdom (AHN) – Former Olympic gold medalist Audley Harrison will try to use his 19-kilo weight advantage, as he slugs it out with reigning WBA World Heavyweight champion David Haye Saturday at MEN Arena in Manchester, England.

Harrison, who won superheavyweight gold at 2010 Sydney Olympics, surprised everybody during Friday night’s weigh in after he tipped the scale at 115 kilograms (18 stone and 1.5lbs).

Harrison, who also stands 6-foot-4, is expected to utilize his significant weight and height advantage against the 6-foot-3, 95.5-kilo Haye, who’s set to defend his WBA title for the second time this year.

Popularly known as the “Hayemaker,” Haye is confident he can easily bring down the heavier Harrison with a combination of speed and power.

In November 2009, Haye battered the seven-foot Russian Nikolai Valuev via unanimous decision to become the first British boxer since Lenox Lewis to win a world heavyweight title belt.

After posting a 9-round TKO over John Ruiz in his first title defense last April, Haye and his camp tried to negotiate a unification bout with the Klitschkos (either against Vitali and Vladimir) but talks for the much-hyped heavyweight showdown broke down, leading to the Haye- Harrison tiff.

Haye, the former undisputed cruiserweight titlist, reportedly underwent rigorous training at a mountain camp in California for the all-English slugfest in Manchester.

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