Palacios believes David Haye can win

by Mark Pickering

Unbeaten Puerto Rican cruiserweight Francisco Palacios, one of the chief support acts for this Saturday’s world heavyweight title showdown at the Nuremberg Arena and a one-time sparring partner of challenger David Haye, is backing the Londoner to overcome towering WBA champion Nikolai Valuev.

The 32-year-old Palacios is an emerging force in Haye’s former division and having worked with the former undisputed cruiserweight king last year, Palacios holds the Briton in high regard. The Bronx, New York resident, who battles American DeLeon Tinsley on the undercard, met the ‘Hayemaker’ in early 2008 while he was in Miami training for his all-British unification showdown with fellow world champion Enzo Maccarinelli.

“He is a great fighter but also a great man,” Palacios said. “I had the opportunity of meeting him several times in Miami and actually worked some rounds of sparring with him."

Palacios believes that Haye, who will be giving up 9in in height and 7st in weight, has the tools to torment and dethrone the once-beaten Russian.

“I think his chances of beating Valuev are very high because he has what it takes to do it,” he said. “This is a huge fight for David, he deserves the shot he’s getting.”

The well-travelled Palacios has seen action when Haye has topped the bill once before. While ‘The Wizard’ preserved his perfect record with a win over little-known Russian Andrey Zaitsev in November 2007, Haye picked himself up from the canvas to stop durable Frenchman Jean Marc Mormeck and capture the WBA and WBC cruiserweight titles in Paris.

“It’s a pleasure for me to take my skills and ability to show a different part of the world a little bit of what they should expect when I fight and become the world champ,” Palacios said. The affable Puerto Rican had a message of support for his former cruiserweight colleague. “Good luck David and God bless you, I wish you lots of success in this fight and the continuation of your career.”

Comments

[samuel aiyetan]

Boxing is not about height and punching power the great Muhammed Ali has said this on several occasion. Anything can happen tonight if David can box clever. wishing you all the best tonight the hayman

[rosco]

David Haye will win as long as he uses his speed and his stamina holds up. Haye by late round stoppage or decision