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'Audley's achieved nothing' fumes Haye

David Haye faces Audley Harrison in November © Getty Images

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WBA heavyweight champion David Haye has accused next opponent Audley Harrison, who he faces in Manchester on November 13, of having achieved "nothing" in his career to date.

While Haye has held world titles at both heavyweight and cruiserweight, Harrison has struggled to make a mark at professional level after clinching Olympic gold in 2000. He looked on course for great things when he began his pro career with a series of commanding victories, but vanished from the public eye after enduring a difficult period between 2004 and 2008.

Harrison revived his career by triumphing in the Prizefighter competition last year, before earning a world title shot by knocking out Michael Sprott with a desperation left hand deep into the 12th round in his most recent fight in April.

Ahead of the all-British battle, critics have suggested that Harrison has not achieved enough to warrant a shot at the WBA strap, a sentiment that Haye would appear to agree with.

"I've got reason to have an ego, because I was the undisputed cruiserweight champion, I was the best in the world, one of the best ever cruiserweights, that's fact," Haye told Sky Sports News. "Audley five years ago said he had an ego like that, but what has he achieved? Nothing. He didn't even win the British title.

"To say we're both in the same mindset - sorry, that's ridiculous. When you say ego, I call it confidence. Ego's something when you believe you're better than you are - that's arrogance. I'm only going on my past performances. I've fought better people than Audley, that's what gives me that confidence.

"What has Audley done in his career? I don't know. I've sparred with him before, he hasn't shown me anything in the sparring that shows he can beat me. There's a few experts tipping Audley to beat me, which is quite amusing, hopefully they put a lot of money on that because they're going to lose it."

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