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Boxing

Haye ready for big test

16/12/2005

Talented British cruiserweight David Haye admits he will have to be on top of his game when he faces Ukrainian Alexander Gurov in Bracknell tonight.

The 25-year-old Londoner is one of Britain's better pound-for-pound boxers and he now has a chance to enhance his reputation by winning the European cruiserweight title.

But he admits that tonight's fight will be one of the hardest of his impressive career although he is confident of winning through and collecting the belt.

"It's a big step up in class. I know Gurov is dangerous and I know that if I make any mistakes he will knock me out cold," he said.

"But the time is perfect for me to challenge for the European title. I feel I am ready to work my way up the world rankings and beat some quality fighters along the way."

Haye is ranked number ten in his division by the WBC and pundits have suggested that he has the boxing ability to reach the pinnacle.

Four wins on the trot since his loss to Carl Thompson in 2004 have reinforced this belief and Haye admits himself that he is improving with every fight since his one and only career defeat.

"I feel I have improved in every aspect since the Thompson defeat," he added.

"Mentally I am a different fighter. I take the sport much more seriously now because I know what the consequences are if you don't. I know what it's like to lose and I don't ever want to be in that position again."

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