• David Haye v Tyson Fury

Old foe backs Fury to see off Haye

Tyson Fury defeated Steve Cunningham at Madison Square Garden in April © AP

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Tyson Fury has been receiving a helping hand from an unlikely source during his preparation for the upcoming all-British super-bout with David Haye - from former opponent Steve Cunningham.

Cunningham, who Fury knocked out on his American debut last April, has been assisting the Manchester fighter ahead of the eagerly anticipated clash at the Manchester Arena on September 28.

The American insists there is no bad blood between him and the Fury camp, though, stating the partnership has helped him to recover from his latest defeat.

"I know there were probably some preconceptions about why I'm here or maybe it was about me getting some payback or vice-versa," Cunningham told World Boxing News.

"I'm not here for Steve Cunningham to try to beat up on Team Fury and to make another fight and get back - I'm here to help him get ready for David Haye and that's what I'm doing.

"I'm here now and I don't think I'd be able to be here personally if there was any animosity - that's dead and gone and truthfully this helped me to put it to bed even more.

"There are no hard feelings at all for Team Fury or Tyson Fury. I'm cheering him on while he's sparring the other guys. I'm telling him 'jab' or 'do this' and 'you're looking good'. You know that's pretty funny right there."

Cunningham believes Fury is in prime shape to continue his unbeaten record against Haye; partly down to how hard trainer and uncle Peter Fury has been pushing him in training.

"I'm getting to see Tyson Fury and I'm getting to see that Peter [Fury] really makes him work hard for it in training camp," Cunningham said.

"He reminds me of myself when I was coming up; you want it so bad you're just doing whatever. You'd jump down a mountain if they told you that's going to get you in the best shape.

"With what Tyson is putting himself through in camp, I believe he can beat Haye either way, points or knockout. I know things can go on in a fight that make you deviate a bit or change up or do something different, but I have Fury to win.

"I hope him the best and I believe he's going to beat Haye."

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