Haye claims emphatic victory

The 28-year-old former undisputed cruiserweight world champion was making the permanent move up to heavyweight with a view to challenging either Wladimir or Vitali Klitschko for one of their world titles early next year.

The Londoner knew an impressive performance was needed against veteran two-time world title challenger Barrett, 37. And, in front of the watching WBC champion Vitali Klitschko, he floored Barrett five times, with the final knockdown resulting in the fight being stopped one minute and 20 seconds into the fifth round.

Haye headed into the contest with a record of 21 wins (20 KOs) and a solitary defeat - an upset loss against veteran Carl Thompson in 2004 - and had already made a brief venture into the heavyweight ranks with a first-round knockout of Pole Tomasz Bonin last year.

After that one-off foray Haye went on to beat Jean-Marc Mormeck to take the WBC and WBA cruiserweight world titles before adding the WBO version in style with a spectacular second-round stoppage of Welshman Enzo Maccarinelli in March.

Haye was content to feel his opponent out in the opening round but enjoyed success with the jab and left hook, while keeping his own guard characteristically low.

Barrett, who arrived in the UK with a record of 34 wins (20 KOs) and six defeats, eventually responded with some left hands of his own, however, catching Haye cleanly late in the second but failing to press home the advantage.

Barrett's swings were wild but dangerous in the third as Haye countered well. And the Briton capitalised mid-way through the round, flooring the American with a left hand and sending him down again with a right counter moments later. Both times Barrett got quickly to his feet, but Haye was clearly buoyed by the success.

Early in the fourth Haye floored Barrett a third time and towards the end of the round, a fourth. A right uppercut landed sweetly and Barrett had a real struggle to get back to his feet. Haye was close to finishing it, only for the bell to end the round.

Haye was down in the fifth after slipping - before Barrett punched him as he was down, losing a point from referee Richie Davies as a result - but finished the contest in style moments later, catching Barrett with a sweet jab before sending his opponent crashing down with a beautiful right-left combination. Referee Davies began the count but gave up at three, waving the fight off to send the home crowd into raptures and Haye towards a world title opportunity.