• Boxing

Lewis questions Haye's focus

ESPN staff
November 12, 2010
Lewis warns Haye

Lennox Lewis has warned David Haye that the bad blood he feels towards Audley Harrison could prove fatal to his chances in the WBA heavyweight title battle on November 13.

A simmering feud has developed between the two pugilists, who were once sparring partners, after Haye refused Harrison's request to fight on one of his undercards.

Now, following Harrison's remarkable renaissance - his career looked dead and buried two years ago - they will face off against each other at the MEN Arena. Lewis, himself a former heavyweight champion, has sounded a note of caution before the fight gets underway.

"Sometimes a grudge can get in the way of the fight and you lose focus, the thing is just to stay focused and do what you do in the gym," Lewis told Sky Sports. "You can never take anybody lightly - I remember when Frank Bruno started hitting me with the jab, I was in there thinking 'wow, what's going on?'."

However, Lewis admits that Harrison will struggle to make any mark unless he can find a new level of self-belief. Having been written off on so many occasions, the 39-year-old's confidence is yet to fully recover - but Lewis is adamant that any doubt will hinder his chances of victory. "You can't doubt yourself for one thing," Lewis said. "You've got to get in there and do what you say you're going to do."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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