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Haye targets a title after Barrett knockout
Other Sports, 10:43, November 16, 2008 ,
David Haye is targeting a world title shot after he knocked out Monte Barrett in the fifth round of his first ever heavyweight fight.
The 28-year-old Londoner, who has stepped up from cruiserweight, put his American opponent on the canvas four times before finally finishing him off with a powerful combination in the fifth having just been knocked down himself.
Haye, who holds a record of 22-1 (21 KO), was delighted with the win and is hopeful of going up against Wladimir or Vitali Klitschko for one of their world titles early in 2009.
He said: "He's a quick heavyweight, but my speed told. He definitely came to win and put me down with a good shot.
"I expected to get knocked down and I did. That's what you're going to get with me in the heavyweight division. I might get down but I'll get back up and I'll do what I have to do.
"I wasn't out of breath, my power felt great. Without having to boil down the make weight, every shot I threw felt harder than ever and I felt faster than I did at cruiserweight."
However, Haye admitted that there was a noticeable step up in the power of heavyweight punches to what he has been used to in the past.
He added: "His shots felt a lot harder. Even his jab was the equivalent of a cruiserweight's right hand, and that's something I've got to get comfortable with."
Despite Haye's victorious start, trainer Adam Booth was unhappy with the way he fought at times during the bout.
"He didn't stick to his game-plan," he said. "Monte managed to draw him into a slugging match. Get into slugging matches and he'll lose his sharpness, David has to use his feet.
"All fighters have to stand and trade at times, but the fewer times you do it, the better it is for your health."