by James Slater – Though not everyone is willing to call themselves a fan of David Haye yet, the heavyweight division, it must surely be acknowledged, owes the WBA ruler one big debt of gratitude for livening things up at the weight class. Last night’s drama-filled fight with John Ruiz, that saw the power-punching 29-year-old retain his belt with a 9th-round TKO, was the best heavyweight title fight seen in a few good years; at least in terms of raw excitement. And that’s what heavyweight title fights should be about at the end of the day – excitement.
Haye delivered, as he has done in the past; and like him or not, rate him as the best or not, only a cynic could come out and say Haye doesn’t provide value for money like no other heavyweight out there (with the possible exception of Chris Arreola). Okay, Haye was guilty of giving us a dull affair last time out, against Nikolai Valuev, but a hand that was busted early in the fight was a big contributing factor to the boring contest, and Haye can be given a pass for that one-off as a result. The bottom line is, 99-percent of the time, Haye gives the fans drama, action and lots and lots of punches..
The question now is, what, or who, next for “The Hayemaker?” We all want to see the once-beaten man who is a superstar in the U.K take on one or, ideally, both of the Klitschko brothers. Clearly the only fighter out there who is even possibly capable of putting an end to the “boring” reign of the two brothers, Haye, win or lose, will give it all he has against Waldimir or Vitali. Ask yourself, is there a better match-up (or pair of match-ups) that can be made in the division today? Like hell there is!
But will we get to see the fight or fights we want? There is the depressing possibility that Haye, if he wants to keep hold of his WBA belt (a belt that would no doubt serve as a most useful bargaining chip should he find himself back at the negotiating table with either Klitschko), will have to go back in with Valuev. This possibility has already drawn nothing but derision from the fans and experts alike, and a rematch of the dull distance fight won by Haye would be a real letdown for all concerned.
If mandatory fights do not get in the way, however (Wladimir has to accommodate Alexander Povetkin some time, of course), it’s likely Haye will tangle with at least one Klitschko this year. And the heavyweight division – still the sport’s glamour division for many people – needs this to be the case. Just imagine the build-up alone to Haye Vs. Wladimir or Vitali!
Also, though most fans will still see either brother as a winner over the man who has served up so much rash-talk about them, no-one would want to bet their house on Haye losing, would they? And if Haye is a star in the U.K now, a win over one of the giants would make him a global star. As to what a second win over a Klitschko would do for Haye and the heavyweight division, well, let’s not get ahead of ourselves!
Haye has said a number of time how he has promised his family he will retire by the age of 31. That gives the most exciting big man on the planet approx eighteen months to get the fights signed, sealed and delivered. And if Haye can do this, rest assured; win or lose he WILL deliver in the excitement-stakes!