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Haye to face American Barrett at O2 Arena

25/09/2008

David Haye will face American Monte Barrett as he continues to build himself up to a possible world title fight.

Haye, who is a former undisputed world cruiserweight champion, will take on Barrett in his second heavyweight fight at the 02 Arena on November 15th. The British boxing star was originally supposed to take on JD Chapman, but that fight was cancelled after Chapman missed a media launch.

The 27-year-old Barrett has an impressive record of 34-6, but he has recently lost two heavyweight title fights to WBC champion Hasim Rahman and WBA holder Nikolay Valuev. Haye, however, insists he will not be underestimating Barrett.

"Barrett is pretty much a perfect opponent. He's an exciting heavyweight who always puts up a good fight," said Haye. "At the same time, though, he's also a dangerous heavyweight who has surprised many other up-and-coming heavyweights.

"Nobody can ever take anything for granted with Barrett. There haven't been many boring Monte Barrett fights and I'm sure he'll be there swinging on November 15th. He's been fighting world-class heavyweights and hanging with them for years."

Though he has only had one fight as a heavyweight, Haye has already called out IBF, WBO, and IBO world champion Wladimir Klitschko. The Ukrainian said earlier this year that Haye needs to prove himself at heavyweight before he would fight him.

Haye feels the Barrett fight will grab the attention of Klitschko, saying: "When I beat Monte better than anybody has before, people will start to realise I'm serious about becoming world heavyweight champion."