18.11.08 – By James Slater – He may have only had two fights at heavyweight, but there is little to no doubt right now that London’s 28-year-old David Haye is the most electrifying big man in the sport today. In fact, it’s a no brainer. Name another heavyweight that brings to the ring the kind of white knuckle drama Haye does. You can’t.
With his blend of sheer power, speed and athleticism, combined with his perceived (and perhaps genuine) vulnerability, the former cruiserweight king sees to it that no fan can afford to so much as blink when he’s doing his stuff. Raw, genetic punching power is what Haye is said to carry, and last night he showed he also carries genuine box office appeal. In an O2 Arena that was rocking with enthusiastic fans straining their necks to see every second they could of a heavyweight who at last brings the weight class palpable excitement the likes of which has not been felt since the days of the peak Mike Tyson, Haye gave some serious value for money. And this was merely the first step of his heavyweight invasion.
Monte Barrett came to fight and without a doubt his determined effort added tothe hugely enjoyable evening of fisticuffs, but “Two Gunz” was merely the beginning for “The Hayemaker.” How thrilling is it going to be seeing him getting it on with either or both of the Klitschko brothers,or any other notable heavyweight you can think of? Simply put, it’s all but impossible to imagine Haye in a bad fight – win or lose.
And that’s the key; Haye is not invincible – far from it. With his somewhat open defence, his still unproven chin (there were plenty of times last night when fans had their hearts in their mouths, worried that Haye was going to get chinned) and his come forward, all-out attack mindset, Haye does give his opponent a chance of getting lucky. This, in a nutshell, is what we need from a heavyweight, and have been needing for some time. No-one wants to fork out hard earned cash to see a safety-first giant who looks like he’s afraid of being hit. We want to pay to see a fighter who is willing to either live by the sword or die by the sword – that way, boxing’s ultimate spectacle, a KO, is all but guaranteed. Haye goes in all guns blazing, choosing the option of taking risks in order to get the job done. Indeed, Haye probably can’t even spell safety!
What we need now is for this excitement-laden puncher to get back in the ring as soon as possible. We don’t want to have to wait another five or six months before the most watchable heavyweight out there engages in combat again. March would be around the right time for Haye to take on a second top name heavyweight, before going for a version of the world title.
He might not get there, and he may even lose on the way to a title fight, but either way, win or lose, David Haye promises to be spectacular each and every time he fights!