• Heavyweight

Fury tells Haye: Bring it on

ESPN staff
June 5, 2013
Tyson Fury made an impression in the United States with his victory over Steve Cunningham © AP
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Tyson Fury has called out David Haye for a Battle of Britain heavyweight showdown, insisting "it's the fight I have always wanted."

Fury pulled out of his IBF eliminator clash with Kubrat Pulev on Sunday, a fight that would have handed the winner a mandatory shot at reigning champion Wladimir Klitschko.

But with Haye having postponed his bout against Germany's Manuel Charr with a hand injury, both men are now available for what promises to be one of the most anticipated fights on British soil in years.

"Bring it on," Fury told the Daily Star. "David Haye is by far the best heavyweight in Britain so forget David Price - I want Haye next.

"I am ready to take on the best in Britain and that is David Haye, and if I beat him I will be the best - 100% guaranteed."

A showdown with British and Commonwealth champion David Price had seemed the more likely all-British clash for Fury over the past 12 months, but Fury's successful US debut victory over Steve Cunningham, coupled with Price's shock defeat by Tony Thompson, has moved him beyond Price and up among the world title contenders.

"I have no interest whatsoever in David Price," Fury continued. "He is well back in the queue as far as I am concerned.

"I took on Dereck Chisora, who was unbeaten, and took the British belt off him and now I will take on the best again - Haye.

"I have been after him for a few years and now, hopefully, it will happen. It is a fight I have always wanted."

Haye, 32, came out of retirement to defeat Chisora at Upton Park in July 2012 and has made no secret of his mission to beat a Klitschko before hanging up his gloves for good.

But with Fury moving towards title contention himself and the buzz around both fighters, a domestic showdown makes sense for their profiles and pockets.

"We are looking at a possible fight with David Haye and we are in talks with them and, hopefully, it will come off," Peter Fury, Tyson's uncle and trainer, confirmed. "We have always wanted to get in the ring with David Haye.

"It is something that the public will want and it will give Tyson a chance to show the public what he can do. A lot of people just don't give Tyson a prayer against a top heavyweight and Haye is a top heavyweight, so it will give Tyson a chance to show just where he stands.

"We want Tyson to regularly fight top fighters and we don't want him to be sitting around waiting for one of the Klitschko brothers to be ready.

"Tyson is ready for anyone. People have not seen the best of him because he's improved a lot and he is ready to step up. He's 25 this year and he's maturing all the time with time on his side - he is the man to fight and the man to beat.

"I see a fight with Haye as a big fight and we are agreeable for that fight to happen. There is only one reason that fight won't happen - and it won't be our fault."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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