Grant hopes friend Haye can cheer him on to Prizefighter glory - 24/11/2009

MICHAEL Grant hopes life-long friend David Haye can cheer him on to Prizefighter glory next month.

Grant, 26, is one of eight men competing in Barry Hearn's Prizefighter Light-Welterweights tournament at London's Olympia on December 4.

Grant and new WBA World Heavyweight Champion Haye have known each other since they were teenagers and closely followed each other's career ever since.

Michael Grant aims to follow in the footsteps of friend and WBA World Champion David Haye

"We've known each other since being in England Amateur squads together so I would've been 15 or 16 when I first met David," said Londoner Grant, who is undefeated from 13 professional contests.

"As he is a bit older than me he used to look out for me. He wasn't one for training back then but he was so good and so talented that you could see he would go right to the top.

"I really look up to him and I always knew he would become a World Champion - and he's proved me right.

"We have the same pedigree growing up together and, as I've seen him from a young age, he's shown me what you can achieve and it's made me strive to become a World Champion as well.

"We're both slick fighters with similar styles so I'm looking forward to following in his footsteps.

"I'm proud of David and what he's achieved and I know he will beat the Klitschko brothers when he has the chance to.

"I hope David will be there on the night watching me at Prizefighter and that would give me even more inspiration to win it."

Grant's immediate challenge is to win the Prizefighter Light-Welterweights title in what could be a career-changing night for him.

However, it will not be easy as he faces some of the biggest names in the division including former WBA Champion Gavin Rees and former European title holders Ted Bami, Jason Cook and Colin Lynes.

"This is the most important competition of my life," admitted Grant, who won an ABA title in 2005.

"Once I win Prizefighter, all the doors will open up and it will be a wicked step to take. I can't wait and I'm really excited.

"I have respect for everyone in Prizefighter and what they've achieved but I'm at the stage of my career when I'm peaking and I can't see anyone causing me trouble.

"I'm going to be so sharp, I feel a lot stronger and I'm just going to be like lightning - my opponents won't see me coming."

Barrie Jones has become the third Welshman to be included in the Prizefighter line-up after Scotland's Barry Morrison had to withdraw due to a viral infection.

Prizefighter Light-Welterweights tickets cost £40 (unreserved) and £80 (reserved) and are available from See Tickets on 0870 903 9033, www.seetickets.com or from Matchroom Sport on 01277 359900. All the action will also be screened live on Sky Sports.

The full list of competitors is: Ted Bami (Brixton, London), David Barnes (Manchester), Jason Cook (Maesteg, Wales), Michael Grant (Tottenham, London), Barry Jones (Ferndale, Wales), Colin Lynes (Hornchurch, Essex), Young Mutley (West Bromwich, West Midlands), Gavin Rees (Newbridge, Wales).

Prizefighter Light-Welterweights
Friday, October 4
Quarter-final draw
1. Michael Grant (Tottenham, London) v Jason Cook (Maesteg, Wales)
2. Ted Bami (Brixton, London) v Gavin Rees (Newbridge, Wales)
3. Colin Lynes (Hornchurch, Essex) v David Barnes (Manchester)
4. Young Muttley (West Bromwich) v Barrie Jones (Newbridge, Wales)

Semi-final draw
1. Michael Grant or Jason Cook v Ted Bami or Gavin Rees
2. Colin Lynes or David Barnes v Young Muttley or Barrie Jones