By Ziggy Shah: Legend has it, that the great elusive featherweight champion Willie Pep once won a round of boxing without throwing a single punch. After watching the first round of the WBA title fight between Audley Harrison v David Haye, I guess Harrison was trying to emulate that same feat. But maybe someone forgot to mention to the challenger, that ‘will o’ the wisp’ achieved it by using his defensive skills and not standing still like a pint of milk.
After weeks of talking the talk, the challenger seemed to be ‘sleep walking’ throughout what can only be described as the worst, mismatched fight in heavy weight history.
But, I will hold my hands up and admit, like many others, I was fooled by the ‘Yes I Can’ brigade and all the pre fight hype that surrounds any title fight.
It was supposed to be Audley’s destiny, the night were he was going to show the British public that he can box and display the heroics that would have earned him the WBA strap. Instead, what we witnessed was a fighter who for the past decade has promised so much but delivered so little.
The fight billed as the ‘Best of Enemies’, would have been more suited as ‘Worst of Fights’. Indeed, there was more action in the ring when Lennox Lewis and Frank Bruno were introduced, and they were wearing suits and only shook hands.
As for David ‘Haye-maker’ Haye, where does he go now, maybe a third title defence against Part time taxi driver Martin Rogan? Or realistically, maybe my friend Will Rogers will get a ‘well deserved’ title shot. Either way, Sky Sports will promote it and ensure that the British public stay at home and forfeit their hard earned cash to watch on PPV.
P.S Mr Adam Booth, pull your finger out and let it happen. The boxing faithful want it, and after this abysmal fight, the boxing faithful deserve it.