27.11.08 – by James Slater – Thanks to his exciting and overall reasonably impressive stoppage win over Monte Barrett a couple of weeks back, David Haye is now 2-0(2) as a heavyweight. Thrilling to watch and a much needed breath of fresh air to the big guys’ weight class, “The Hayemker” has taken it upon himself to restore order and value for money to the most important division in boxing.
However, there is a chance Haye, anxious to see his childhood dream of being heavyweight champion of the world realised, may rush things and head straight into a fight with either one of the Klitschko brothers. One can understand the 28-year-old’s urge to get it on with the two best heavyweight champions out there, but surely tackling one of these guys in his very next bout would be a bad idea?
But the word is this is what may actually happen. Haye’s manager, Adam Booth, is and has been in talks with the Klitschkos, and there is a reasonable chance his fighter could meet Vitali next summer. While this is exciting news, could it also prove to be bad news for Haye? For what it’s worth, this writer feels Haye should definitely have at least one more testing of the waters at heavyweight first. After all, so far Haye has only met smallish heavies – Thomasz Bonin and “Two Gunz.” No way is that good preparation for a clash with the 6’6″ and 6’7″ boys from Ukraine.
So what, in this humble writer’s even humbler opinion, should Haye do next? Who should he fight so as to get himself more ready for the Doctors “Steel Hammer” and “Iron Fist?” Well, one name springs right out upon thinking about this scenario – Tony Thompson’s. Should the 6’5″ “Tiger” get past James Toney on December 13th (a lot of people think he will) he would make a perfect opponent for Haye. Thompson’s size would see to it that Haye gets himself a pretty close dress rehearsal for the Klitschkos (albeit, a left-handed one).
Haye needs to feel it in there with a really big guy, not just a modest size heavyweight like Barrett. Another good choice would be Jameel McCline. Approx 6’6″ himself, “Big Time” would also be a very useful measuring stick of a foe for “The Hayemaker” as he progresses towards what he feels is his destiny.
No, neither Thompson or McCline are anywhere near approaching great, or even really good, fighters. But they are both big, strong and experienced guys. And neither fighter is looked upon as anything other than durable and hard to take out (barring McCline’s fluke 1st round KO loss way back in just his second pro fight). Think how impressive it would be if Haye were to do a number on either guy. How much added confidence would the former cruiserweight king take into the ring with him against a Klitschko after having despatched Thompson or McCline in rapid fashion? Remember, McCline took Wladimir into the 10th round of a fight, and Thompson took the younger Klitschko into the 11th round of their fight.
The ball is, to a large degree, in Haye’s court, and he will do as he chooses. But going straight in with either one of the two biggest and best heavyweights in the world would be the wrong thing to do, surely? Who agrees and who doesn’t?
In the final analysis, now that we at last heave an ultra-exciting heavyweight who provides sheer entertainment each time out, it sure would be a shame to see him beaten up and all but retired after just one more fight!