Holyfield relishing Haye-Fury bout

David Haye

Former world heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield believes Tyson Fury is capable of causing an upset against fellow Briton David Haye and even thinks both Englishmen could dethrone the all-conquering Klitschko brothers in the future.

Haye and Fury are scheduled to do battle in February after their original bout last month was scrapped due to a cut suffered by the Londoner in training.

The younger, taller but inexperienced Fury still suspects the fight may never happen.

However, four-time world heavyweight champion Holyfield believes the 11/4 underdog has a chance of beating the former WBA titlist.

“It’s an exciting fight,” Holyfield said. “David Haye is a guy who went the same route as me, being cruiserweight world champion and moving up to become a heavyweight champion of the world. Like me, he showed it’s not about the size of the man, it’s about the size of his heart.

“When two people get in the ring, can they make the necessary adjustments to outthink and out-manoeuvre the other guy?

“One thing I like about the game of boxing is that it’s not about people’s opinions, it’s about what the people in the ring do on that night and whoever is able to carry out their gameplan is the winner.

“Fury wouldn’t be getting into the ring with Haye if he didn’t have a chance. Any fighter who gets in there has a chance and it comes down to who fights their fight.’’ Both Haye and Fury have their sights set on fights with the Klitschkos, with elder brother Vitali holding the WBC title and Wladimir the WBA, IBF and WBO belts.

Holyfield believes it is a matter of time until the Ukrainian veterans are knocked off their perch.

“As to whether they can beat the Klitschko brothers, it depends on which night they catch them on,’’ said the 50- year-old, who visited Birmingham Children’s Hospital yesterday as part of his work with the Global Village Champions Foundation.

“Some people are on their way up, some people are on their way down.”