Haye relishing Ruiz showdown

David Haye has predicted the first defence of his WBA world heavyweight title will reach a "dramatic" conclusion.

Haye, speaking at the head-to-head press conference at Manchester town hall, meets American veteran John Ruiz at the MEN Arena on Saturday night.

"I've trained for 12 hard rounds but I don't think anyone can take the punishment I dish out for that long," said Haye. "It's often my opponent's plan to take me into the later rounds but the amount of damage that has accumulated on them means they don't hear the final bell. I'm going to do something dramatic and people will be shocked."

Haye revealed he had decided against trying to rile Ruiz in the build-up because he knew the experienced 38-year-old would not react.

"People have given Ruiz abuse in the past but he does his talking in the ring," added Haye.

"I've realised it's a waist of time giving him any stick."

Ruiz cut a quietly confident figure ahead of his bid to win the WBA title for a third time.

"I appreciate David is confident but it's going to be a great fight and I'm looking forward to it," he said.

"David is fast and moves a lot. He gives you different angles. He didn't win the title by someone giving it to him, he earnt it."