Ain’t No Stopping Us Now
WBA, WBC, WBO and The Ring World Cruiserweight titles and the WBA World Heavyweight titles collectively are pretty impressive achievements for any pro boxer, but yet the boxing world still seem divided on how good David ‘Hayemaker’ Haye(25(23)1-0) really is. The fact that The Hayemaker has achieved all this within 26 fights proves he knows how to play the game, but it’s David’s ability to ‘play the game’ that seem to give most of his naysayer’s a wall to lean against.
For me personally, the fact that Haye has achieved what he has in as many fights as he has is almost as admirable as the achievements themselves. The boxing world screams out for charisma on a regular basis, plead for men who can talk-the-talk and then walk-the-walk, begged for a man to ignite the heavyweight division and restore some of the credibility the it once had. Then here comes our 6’3 Londoner, swaggering onto the scene with lightning fast hands(matched with his equally fast running mouth) and explosive power and problem solved. But, as always in boxing, it’s never quite that simple.
Back in 2002 David Haye set out in his mission; clean up the Cruiserweight Division and unify the titles, then move up to the Heavyweight division to do the same and then retire by the time he hits 31 (13/10/2011). The last stage of his mission being a promise to his dear old mum. With a Heavyweight unification showdown with one Wladimir ‘Dr.Steelhammer’ Klitschko (55(49)-3-0) it’s so far so good. David has had his doubters throughout the entirety of his career, mainly outside of the U.K, but If he has proved anything to anybody it is that it’s never smart to bet against him.
He has always had something to say before, during and after his fights, something that would almost most definitely highlight his believe in his own ability. To his credit he has walked through just about everyone he has ever shared a ring with. Only ever going the distance twice, boxing only 102 rounds in his entire professional career(including his one loss) and averaging 3.9 rounds per fight. Now that’s not a bad average to have. He has quite literally flew through his career. Ticking off milestones as he goes and comfortably slipping in to the gap as the no.1 British fighter left by the legendary Lennox Lewis. As for his one loss, it is exactly that, one loss and there is not much more to say on the matter.
Usually, after 26 fights, presuming all has went well, promoters are just starting to push their guys onto world level but David Haye is anything but usual. After 26 fights he has already collected 4 World Titles and is looking to pick up another 3 before his ‘final bow’ as a professional fighter. Yet, the ‘Hayemakers’ cake is currently cherryless. I think, personally, the reason Haye doesn’t quite get the plaudits he deserves is mainly because the most of his career has been building up to monster showdown with one of the Klitschko’s. Like a computer game you have completed 95% of, it doesn’t mean nothing if you don’t defeat the final boss.
Many ‘experts’ don’t rate Haye’s chances of stopping the dominant Ukranian too highly. The fight does have the ‘if anyone can...’ feel to it as David certainly has the speed, the power and the style to stop the man who has dominated the Heavyweight division for many a year. Wladimir’s jab has caused his caused his challengers nightmares and is usually followed by another jab and then another and then a smashing straight right that could put a Bear into hibernation. However, this devastating combination usually lands on a stationary head, and you would expect Haye’s head to be far from stationary.
Klitschko has made a living on the back of his jab and it is the spine of his boxing body. However, the counter to any good jab is a quick head and a big overhead right, two of Haye’s best attributes. Mind, labelling Klitschko’s jab as ‘good’ doesn’t quite do it justice but I never said it would be easy. Also, Big Wlad’s chin has been a little suspect but he has built his entire style to accommodate for it. Basically, for every case you can make for why you say either Haye or Klitschko there is a counter-argument to balance it. That is what makes this fight so exciting, plus all of the media hype on worldwide television and largely on youtube.com means this fight practically sells its self.
It’s soon to be make or break for ‘The Hayemaker’. A loss will still leave him with a career to be admired but a career that will always be remembered for that final loss. A win, on the other hand, will leave Haye with a glorified career topped off with a win over one of (if not the) most dominant fighters of our generation. The one advantage Haye may have is the fact that Klitschko is a natural born athlete turned boxer, perfectly built genetically and programmed to box to his natural abilities. Whereas Haye, seems like he was born to box, super quick, explosive punching power and unshakeable self-confidence and mental attitude. And the fact he is 6’3 and comfortably makes the 200lb limit while still looking like one of the top athletes in the world.
Win or lose David ‘The Hayemaker’ Haye will go down as one the greatest fighters the United Kingdom has ever produced and that’s why he is our ‘Boxer Of The Week’. Now, whether any of this makes any difference whatsoever come fight night, who am I to know? But as long as people keep boxing, we’ll keep guessing...
Gavin Doyle
Gavin Doyle
