By James Slater: Wanna see a good fight? We’ve seen some great, dramatic fights this year (think Martinez-Chavez, Maidana-Karass, Brook-Jones, Garcia-Khan to name but a few) and 2012 has more promising action still in store. But next year, 2013, could be even better – in fact a whole lot better.
How? By making these fights become a reality.
This is the way I see it, anyway: from heavyweight on down, the best match-ups that can be made next year……..
Back in March 2011, I wrote an article entitled the same as this one minus the “2.0.” I opined that Haye’s performance against Wladimir Klitschko in a match that unified three of the heavyweight belts (WBA, WBO and IBF) was disgraceful and shameful given all of the chest-pounding, insults and smack talk that allowed David Haye the opportunity to fight a Klitschko brother for a title belt.
To say Haye failed to live up to his bravado before the fight with Wladimir Klitschko is an understatement. Haye was excoriated around the globe for his pathetic performance and embarrassing attempt to blame the loss on a hurt toe, and, for flopping like a professional soccer player attempting to draw a penalty.
Now, Haye claims that he wants a fight against WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko before Dr. Ironfist retires from boxing. Bravado.
By Michael Collins: Former WBA heavyweight champion David Haye desperately wants to get a fight against WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko before the 41-year-old longtime World Boxing Council champion retires from the sport. However, there are limits to what Haye is willing to put up with in order to get the fight. Haye doesn’t want to fight Vitali in his native Ukraine because he feels it could be dangerous for him to travel there due his fears of being attacked by racist people.
Haye said to the Guardian.co.uk “I’ve never been to Ukraine but I have heard it’s very dangerous for a black man. There are crazy racists who have already sent me death threats. So Germany would be the best and safest place for me to beat Vitali and get out of the stadium alive.”
Haye isn’t exactly in the position to be calling the shots given that he’s just a mere challenger now and no longer a title holder. If Vitali decides he wants the fight to take place in Ukraine, then Haye will have to decide whether he really wants to fight Vitali or not, because the offer will likely be final.
By James Slater: The WBC group led by Don Jose Sulaiman has “welcomed back” David Haye; the fighter the organization said would never be granted a fight for their world heavyweight title due to his actions in the infamous Munich brawl with Dereck Chicora – and for going ahead and fighting Chisora in the Luxemburg Boxing Council-sanctioned fight this past July.
The WBC had previously stated that: “any fighter involved in the Haye V Chisora fight, will be banned by the WBC.”
But today, as has been reported by the WBC website, Haye, who had “amicable” talks with the organization this week, is now back in line for a shot at their heavyweight belt.
“The WBC was the first organization in recognizing David as world champion, when he conquered the cruiserweight title in 2007,” a WBC statement read. “Then Haye fought in the heavyweight division, and now he wants a fresh shot against current champion Vitali Klitschko.
“The talk was amicable and David Haye is welcome to return to the WBC.”