Chris Aston: “We’re not worried about David Haye”
By Media Report (July 12, 2005)
 
Mark Hobson
Trainer Chris Aston has insisted that Mark Hobson is unconcerned by the threat of David Haye ahead of the pair’s grudge match for Hobson’s British and Commonwealth cruiserweight titles at the Huddersfield Sports Centre on July 22.

“Our training is going superb and we have no worries We’ll have had eight weeks of preparation come fight night and are raring to go. We’re expecting a tough fight and are not taking it lightly but we know that Haye is being thrown in at the deep end,” warned Aston.

The dynamite fisted Haye, a former world amateur silver medallist, has been groomed for superstardom since turning pro in December 2002 and has wowed onlookers with his mixture of breathtaking speed and concussive power.

The 24-year-old quicksilver has accounted for all 13 of his victims via the short route. averaging only two rounds per fight. However, Haye’s march to the top was unexpectedly checked by Manchester’s Carl Thompson in an unsuccessful bid for the IBO crown last September. Despite dominating the veteran early and almost stopping him, Haye ran out of steam and was eventually halted in five, pulsating rounds.

Conceding that inexperience got the better of him, Haye returned to the drawing board and has rebounded with three consecutive stoppage victories and feels he is now ready to claim Hobson’s titles. But Aston believes that Haye’s suspect stamina will be found wanting again.

“Haye doesn’t have a good engine because he uses up so much more energy being a big puncher. He’s learned too many bad habits and has neglected his training for years. You can’t put that right in six months. This fight will come down to who wants it more. Hobson’s proved time and time again that he has the desire as a human being to succeed.”

As the year’s biggest domestic duel draws ever nearer, Aston hit back at Haye’s claims that Hobson is only a “domestic level fighter”.

“We’ll send Haye back down to Area title level. That way he’ll then have to meet the fighters he should have fought on the way through instead of cutting corners.”

Chief support on this excellent Fight Academy bill marks the return of Aston’s former Commonwealth welterweight champion James Hare who is aiming to bounce back after being stopped in six rounds by David Barnes in a British title challenge in November.

The Robertown Rocket takes on the improving Robert Lloyd-Taylor in an intriguing meeting of domestic contenders. Hare, 30-2-1, starts favourite but Lloyd-Taylor, 10-4, has won his last five and will fancy his chances of causing an upset.

“Lloyd-Taylor is bang in form but we’re confident that James can win this and put himself right back into title contention,” said Aston.

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