Haye respects Ruiz but says will knock him out

LONDON, (Reuters) – David Haye has total respect for  challenger John Ruiz ahead of tomorrow’s WBA world heavyweight  clash which explains the absence of feisty exchanges and clever  back-chat but the Briton says he will knock him out.

“It’s always my plan to knock out my opponents… I don’t  believe there is anyone in the world who can take the punishment  I am willing to dish out for 12 rounds,” he told reporters.

In only his fourth heavyweight fight, Haye makes his first  title defence at Manchester’s MEN Arena against an American  aiming to join Muhammad Ali and Evander Holyfield as the only  men to become three-time world heavyweight champions.

“David’s got more respect for John Ruiz then anybody he has  boxed ever, which is why there is no need for trash talk,”  Haye’s manager Adam Booth told a news conference ahead of the  first heavyweight world title fight in Britain for 10 years.

Ruiz, who has won all six of his previous fights in Britain,  held the title from March 2001-March 2003 and February  2004-December 2005.

Haye, who once wore a T-shirt showing the severed heads of  Klitschko brothers Vladimir and Vitali and also labelled giant  Russian Nikolai Valuev a “circus freak” before taking his WBA  crown in November, has been more reserved in this build-up.

“Ruiz does his talking in the ring, I am aware of that, so  it’s a waste of time to give it too much verbal,” Haye said.

SHUNNED
Ruiz, known as “The Quietman”, lived up to his nickname when  he failed to attend the fight announcement in January and hardly  blinked yesterday when Haye proclaimed he would knock him out.

“I feel at this moment I am complete… that’s when you  realise you are on top of the world and that is what I am here  to prove,” Ruiz (44-8-1, 30KOs) said.

This will be Ruiz’s second fight under the tutelage of  experienced trainer Miguel Diaz, who has led Erik Morales to a  world title and worked with Miguel Cotto, and the pair have  targeted a pace of more than 50 punches a round with Haye.

The 38-year-old American is known to stay close to his  opponent and, with both fighters of similar size, Haye is  expecting a battle that could last a full 12 rounds.

“I’m expecting a tough, gruelling fight. I have trained for  12 rounds or less and I want to make it less,” Haye (23-1,  21KOs) said.

The 29-year-old “Hayemaker” from London, knows a convincing  victory could lead to a much-talked of showdown with WBC  champion Vladimir Klitschko or his younger brother and WBO, IBF  and IBO heavyweight champion, Vitali.