• Boxing

Haye denies being knocked out

ESPN staff
November 3, 2010
David Haye holds the belt that Audley Harrison is seeking © Getty Images
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David Haye has dismissed claims by Audley Harrison that he was knocked out by sparring partner Tony Thompson.

The trash talking between the pair has increased in recent weeks, as they look to put the finishing touches to their preparations for November 13's WBA heavyweight title fight and Harrison said earlier in the week that he had learned of Haye being put on the seat of his pants by Thompson.

Thompson neither confirmed nor denied the story when praising Haye on Tuesday, but the champion has claimed the story is without foundation.

"It's a myth, but I'm hoping Audley takes it on board," Haye told Talksport. "He's looking for things to give him a mental advantage and if he wants to believe that I got knocked down sparring, he can believe it.

"Tell him I got knocked down 500 times if that makes him feel better. He's going to get in the ring with me and he's going to get knocked out.

"No matter what rumour he heard from our training camp, I might have heard he looked tremendous in his training camp. Maybe he's knocking out this or that sparring partner, well great, good for him. I wish him all the luck in the world because he's going to need it.

"All you got to do is look at my record. I've had 25 fights and at no stage has someone hit me with one shot and knocked me out.

"Boxing takes a lifetime. It's taken me since the age of 10 to get where I am today, and it's going to take more than one lucky punch from Audley Harrison to end my dream."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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