Press Release: British cruiserweight David Haye will face an extremely dangerous late replacement, Vincenzo Rossitto, after Haye’s proposed British and Commonwealth title challenge to Mark Hobson was called off when Hobson was contracted shingles. The ten-round international cruiserweight contest will take place October 14, 2005 at the Huddersfield Leisure Centre in England.  The winner is expected to seal a crack at Alexander Gurov’s European crown. Last November, Rossitto suffered only the third defeat of his 35-fight career at the hands of Gurov when he was stopped with a badly cut eye in the second round and is desperate for a rematch.

The 29-year-old Rossitto boasts an impressive 30-3-2 (17) record. Rossitto is currently ranked 9th by the WBC and 12th by the IBF and will provide the sharp shooting Haye with a stern test of his world credentials. The Italian has boxed twice this year, halting Denmark’s Jesper Kristiansen in five rounds in July, and stopping Gabor Farkas in two in March.
 
The dynamite fisted-Haye, 13-1, won all his fights by stoppage and has rebounded with three wins since experiencing his only professional loss to Carl Thompson last year. The former world amateur silver medallist is expected to receive a hostile reception appearing in front of Mark Hobson’s Huddersfield supporters.

Chief support on this Fight Academy promoted bill sees former Commonwealth welterweight champion James Hare take on Hayes’ in-form Robert Lloyd-Taylor in a crossroads battle scheduled for eight-rounds. Unbeaten prospects Femi Fehintola, Geard Ajetovic and Nick Smedley are also set to feature. Tickets, priced at £30 and £55, are available from Fight Academy on 0114 2560550.