Great Britain's David Haye
/ AP Photo/Christof Stache
LONDON (AP) — Newly crowned world heavyweight champion David Haye is confident a broken hand won't endanger his first defense against John Ruiz.
Haye broke a bone in his right hand in the early stages of his points victory over Nikolai Valuev on Saturday when he captured the WBA title in Nuremberg, Germany.
The British fighter said Monday he will need to wait until the fracture heals before he can train for a fight against mandatory challenge Ruiz. That fight will probably take place in London around March next year.
Haye said Ruiz badly cut his forehead fighting on the undercard on Saturday and the American would be in no rush to get the fight on early.
Haye described Ruiz as experienced, tough and durable but predicted he would knock him out.
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