By James Slater: World Boxing Council (WBC) heavyweight king Vitali Klitschko was a guest on BBC Radio Five Live last night, and he made it clear that David Haye remains a fighter he thinks about quite a lot. Fans may recall how, when the Klitschkos were being relentlessly called out by “The Hayemaker,” the two flipped a coin to see which one of them it would be that took the fight with the trash-talker.
Vitali lost the flip and he said himself he was most upset that he had “lost out on the opportunity of silencing David Haye.” However, Vitali, 40-years-old later this month, is still seriously interested in facing Haye; even though the Londoner no longer holds a belt. Vitali seems unsatisfied with the way his younger brother beat Haye on July 2nd, by comprehensive unanimous decision – and he has admitted he wants to KO the man who spent so many months insulting he and his brother.
“If I had the chance, I’d be happy to beat Haye,” he said. “David is world famous. He touched me personally. If I have a chance I’ll be happy to send him to the floor.”
That’s about as close to trash-talking as the gentlemanly elder Klitschko gets. Not one for pre-fight boasting, Vitali does his talking in the ring. Tomasz Adamek must be taken care of first, in September, in the former light-heavy and cruiserweight champ’s home country of Poland, but after that it could be Haye.
The 30-year-old who turns 31 on October 13th had said (promised) he’d call it quits “when I cease being 30-years-old,” but in light of his poor and ultra-disappointing showing against Wladimir, wannabe movie star Haye has had second thoughts. How can he go out of boxing (and into what he hopes will be a glamorous new career) on the back of such a let down? Haye seems almost certain to break his promise and fight again – if he can get a second go at one of the Klitschkos. And you’ve just read what Vitali has to say about that: he’s more than willing to give Haye his one shot at redemption.
Strangely, in large part due to the way Haye annoyed many fight fans with his talk, a fight between he and Vitali would likely sell and sell well. Fans would tune in, not to see Haye end the reign of the Klitschkos as he spent so many months promising he would, but to see Haye crushed, KO’d and thoroughly silenced. Now very much a love to hate figure, Haye could earn yet more millions with a fight against Vitali. There wouldn’t be too many fans willing to give him a realistic chance of picking up some badly needed redemption, but the fight would almost certainly be more exciting than the July affair that took place in Hamburg.
Vitali would perhaps take the Haye fight as a “farewell” bout, with the Adamek fight and then one with Haye seeing him sign off on a great career. Haye would almost certainly be having his final fight against Vitali. What say it happens either late this year or early next?