HAYE NO-SHOW ADDS EXTRA SPICE
One of Britain's most eagerly awaited fights takes place this weekend and if the pre-fight action is any indication, fans are in for one explosive night at the O2 Arena.
David Haye and Enzo Maccarinelli go toe-to-toe at the O2 Arena for arguably the biggest all-British fight for 15 years, drawing comparison with the Eubank-Benn rematch of 1993.
London-born Haye, the current WBA and WBC cruiserweight champion will face Swansea's Enzo Maccarinelli in an attempt to wrestle the WBO title from his grasp in a unification fight which will take place in the early hours on Sunday morning to appease the American TV viewers.
As you would expect with such a huge meeting, the pre-fight talk has been fierce, with Swansea's Maccarinelli accusing the big-hitting Haye of underestimating his abilities.
"Haye's the one who has under-estimated me and he'll find out on Saturday night that he's not as good as I am," insisted Maccarinelli.
"I'm fit and excited and ready. I've never been more motivated for a fight," added the WBO title-holder.
The comments are in response to claims that Haye made on Tuesday that he expected Maccarinelli would be an easier fight than Jean Marc Mormeck - his last opponent, who he beat in seven rounds.
"They watched that fight, saw me knocked down, heard me complaining and thought 'let's get him'," said Haye.
"I've trained for a tougher fight than Mormeck, but I don't expect it.
"If he doesn't realise how good I am, he's got a decent team around him so they must know. I just feel I am a better athlete than him."
Haye has however landed himself in hot water with the fight's promoters, after he failed to show up to the pre-fight press conference.
Instead, promoters had to hastily arrange a second press conference for Haye who blamed the timing of the press conference for his no show.
Haye, who resides in Miami and is working on US time, claimed that the 1230GMT press conference would adversely affect his sleep patterns but promoter Frank Warren was not impressed.
"David is not that good that he can pick and choose when he turns up," said Warren.
"He usually fights in front of 2,000 at York Hall and there will be 20,000 at this fight.
"He's in breach of contract, and I've made a complaint already to the Boxing Board of Control. They've got to determine whether there is a breach of contract and what his obligations are.
"It's all very mystifying to me. I'm paying him an absolute fortune, and he should show some respect not only to the promotion but to Enzo. He's come down from Wales - and this fellow lives in London."
Related links:
