• David Haye v Tyson Fury

Haye: The fans are desperate for me to flatten Fury

David Haye has fanned the flames ahead of his showdown with Tyson Fury by claiming the public are desperate to see his opponent get knocked out.

The British heavyweights will lock horns at the Manchester Arena on September 28 after signing a deal for the super-bout earlier this month.

Haye had been due to return to boxing on June 29 against Manuel Charr as he bid to become a mandatory challenger for Vitali Klitschko's WBC world heavyweight title, but was forced to withdraw in May with a hand injury.

But now set to make his comeback against Fury, Haye has taken a dig at his opponent by insisting he is not even worthy of stepping into the ring with him.

Speaking to Buncey's Boxing Podcast, Haye said: "People are really excited by it. I keep saying 'why?' - they just want to see him get knocked out.

"He hasn't beaten any big names. The biggest name he's beaten is Steve Cunningham, and no one knows who he is, even when he was world champion.

"They read the papers and hear these things he's been saying about beating me. They have never seen him fight. It's interesting to see how much interest he's drummed up despite not putting on any good boxing performances.

"Unfortunately the first time they see him he will be getting stretched out by me.

"I've had my European title fights and title defences, and some tough fights and tough calls. The fact is, he's managed to get this pay-per-view show and a sellout arena on a 50-50 split.

"I've seen this guy fight once, when he fought John McDermott, and I remember thinking 'is this it?' I thought John should have won this fight.

"There was more drama in the crowd than there was in the ring. But since then he has improved, so credit to him, but not to a level where he is to be considered elite."

Fury is undefeated in 21 professional fights, and Haye admits the lure of ending that streak proved irresistible.

Haye added: "He's unbeaten, so no one can have a dig at him. He can say 'I've never lost, and you've lost twice' and I can't dispute that. Although I've lost to people much better than him.

"It's not about just getting the win; I don't want to squeak through on a majority decision against him, that would be a failure. He's been put down by guys who don't punch as hard as me, and that wasn't ten years ago, like it happened with me.

"When it comes to the crunch, I'm a bit different to the guys he's been fighting. I'm experienced and I'm used to dealing with big guys, I've been hit by bigger and harder guys."

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