Bolt, Christie helping Haye prepare for his first title defence

London, Mar 14(ANI): World Heavyweight Boxing champion David Haye is on track to beat American boxer and former two-time champion John Ruiz with a little help from speed merchants Usain Bolt and Linford Christie.

The 29-year-old has been getting tips from the world's quickest man Bolt, while 1992 Olympic 100 metres king Christie is helping during track sessions at Brunel University.

It means Ruiz will have a hard time keeping up when they clash in Haye's first title defence at Manchester's MEN Arena on April 3.

"I get tired sprinting but when Linford is there I dig in. I can't embarrass myself when Britain's greatest ever athlete is holding the stopwatch," News Of The World quoted Haye, as saying.

"I was 11 when he won the Olympics and can remember watching him win in Barcelona. It is weird having one of my all-time heroes timing me. Linford beat the best Americans - that stuck with me. He was one of the first guys who proved to me that Britons can beat the best," he added.

Bolt and Haye became friends after meeting during England football teams game against Croatia at Wembley last September.

"We were always talking about different training methods, but Usain is a crazy guy. I was driving through the West End at night recently and he was having a race down the street with Mickey Rourke," Haye said.

"I got out of my car because I thought there had been a punch-up and saw Mickey with his shoes off racing Usain," he added. (ANI)