by James Slater at ringside – Tonight at the O2 arena in London, David Haye’s full time heavyweight arrival came in explosive style as he blasted through Monte ‘Two Gunz’ Barrett in 5 rounds. Improving his record to 22-1 (21), Haye knocked Barrett down 5 times. Barrett fell to 28-7 (20). The official time was 1 minute 28 seconds of the fifth when a lethal left right combination to the head sent Barrett crashing for the last time.
Barrett’s entrance to the ring was almost as spectacular as the fight itself. Attempting to leap clean over the ropes, Barrett instead became tangled and went flying, much to the amusement of the crowd. Then when the action started the two men got to business immediately. A big right hand to the head scored for Haye but Barrett took it fine. Haye tried another big right which missed and Barrett countered with a dangerous looking left hook. There were also some decent left jabs by Barrett at the end of the round. Haye’s opener.
By the second round Haye was showing Barrett respect, whereas Barrett himself was loading up looking to land big shots. A left hook missed by a mile. Haye also slipped in this round which drew boos from the crowd. Barrett continued loading up big time and did succeed in forcing Haye into a corner. Barrett’s round.
Round 3. Barrett was caught again at the start of the third but stormed on aggressively. He even then began clowning and dropping his hands. There was some holding and hitting by both men in a heated fashion which drew a warning from the referee, Richie Davies. Then a sweeping left hand by Haye sent Barrett down on his haunches. Upon getting up, Barrett bundled Haye into a corner but he was then sent down for a second time. This time he was more hurt and had to hoist himself up using the ropes. A big round for Haye.
Barrett landed a decent right in the fourth, which was followed by a big explosion of punches by Haye. Barrett appeared to take them all okay though. Later in the round, Barrett went down but this writer felt he slipped – however, a count was given. Barrett came back with an inside left hook before a massive right uppercut sent him down badly hurt. Barrett barely beat the count whereupon the bell went seconds later.
There was a controversial moment in the fifth as Haye went down and Barrett hit him while he was down. A point was taken off Barrett and Haye’s trip to the floor was ruled a slip. It did look to this writer as though he was knocked down. Barrett was now looking tired and the end came in spectacular fashion as a left and then a massive right put him down for the final time.
Barrett fought incredibly bravely tonight, but Haye’s power was just too much. The jury is still out on whether or not Haye can take on the likes of the Klitschkos. Vitali, by the way, was a very interested ringside observer tonight. It remains to be seen whether or not Haye will face another contender before going in to a title shot. For what it’s worth, I think he needs one more heavyweight test before going for ‘Dr. Iron Fist’.