Freddie Roach confirmed that the contest on Saturday in Manchester may be a world title fight, but remains an all-British affair with little global appeal.
The Los Angeles-based doyen of trainers told Telegraph Sport: ?Who cares about Haye-Harrison ? What has Audley Harrison done in the last 10 years?
“The world is waiting to see David Haye against the Klitschko brothers. He has the youthfulness and style to re-ignite world interest in heavyweight boxing.?
Roach, moreover, believes Haye has the style and belief to beat Wladimir Klitschko, the two-belt world title holder, but not necessarily elder brother Vitali, the World Boxing Council champion.
?Wladimir lacks confidence and could be unsettled in the ring,? he said.
Roach, the trainer of Manny Pacquiao, the seven-weight world champion, and Bolton?s Amir Khan, the World Boxing Association light-welterweight champion, said: ?When and if they meet, for me, Haye beats Wladimir.
“Vitali is a different animal, and is harder to hit. But Haye versus the Klitschkos is what is compelling about the heavyweight division right now. Boxing needs it.?
Haye, meanwhile, has mocked Harrison as ?mentally weak?, showing clear disdain for his adversary, as a prize-fighter if not also as a man.
?Audley is a mentally weak person,? said Haye. ?When we both get in that ring and I look in his eyes he?ll be petrified.
“When Audley is left there on his own with a pair of 10oz gloves, me across the ring looking like a caged animal and a referee who he knows can count to 10, you?re going to see a man who is petrified.
“If he doesn?t bring his ?A? game, is going to be a brutal, fast finish.?
