Ananova:

Ricky Hatton has backed David Haye to succeed him as the standard-bearer of British boxing by knocking Nikolai Valuev out "in sensational fashion" on Saturday night.

Londoner Haye will attempt to dethrone 7ft 2in WBA heavyweight champion Valuev in Nuremberg after moving up from cruiserweight a year ago.

"If there's one thing you think of when it comes to David Haye, it is excitement," said Hatton. "I think this is the first step on the ladder in the heavyweight division for him. I think he's going to look sensational."

Hatton added: "I think the fans are getting behind him. He had the Monte Barrett fight in London (a year ago) but he had to go abroad to win the cruiserweight titles.

"I was very fortunate that I had fight after fight in this country and in my home town, whereas David has been dotted about here and there and it's been more difficult for him to build up a fanbase.

"But I expect his fanbase to go through the roof after this fight, because I think David will prove that Britain's got a heavyweight that can really go all the way.

"He's got a fantastic fight, his second fight up at heavyweight and he's fighting a giant of a man in Valuev, who is over 7ft tall and 20-plus stone. It's an incredible feat.

"He doesn't want to take too many punches and I think the key in this fight will be the speed factor. As big as Valuev is, as tall as he is, the difference in speed is massive and I think if David boxes a very clever fight, a smart fight and keeps his chin down and boxes sensibly, I don't think Valuev will be quick enough to hit him."

Haye weighed in for the fight at a career-high 98.9kg (218lbs or 15st 8lbs). The champion, meanwhile, was 143.3kg (315.9lbs or 22st 8lbs), a daunting difference of some seven stone.

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