This boxing business makes for some strange bed fellows. On November 7, World Boxing Association Heavyweight Champion Nikolai “The Russian Giant” Valuev defends his portion of the heavyweight championship against a voluntary British challenger named David “The Hayemaker” Haye.
Valuev weighs in at 7’0, 320 lbs. while Haye stands 6’3, 220 lbs.
Valuev hasn’t fought since last December, winning an uninspired, controversial decision over then 45 – year – old Evander Holyfield.
It seems the only credentials Haye possesses are being a former cruiserweight champion and not being John Ruiz.
Promoter Don King tried to sell Valuez as an HBO – level fighter on the network a few years ago against Monte Barrett. Valuev won, (KO-11), but didn’t impress. It was a one and done deal.
Sadly, Haye was once dropped by the same Barrett, but rose to stop him in five. Haye has only fought six men that weighed over 200 pounds. However he is now comfortable himself in the low 220s since moving up from cruiserweight.
So far, American TV isn’t buying this event. Not even a tape-delay on ESPN Classic.
If Haye were to beat Valuev, it would make for some dramatic TV and certainly inject some much – needed fun and excitement into the heavyweight division and the sport itself.
But then what does he do? He’s already pulled out of fights with both Klitschko brothers in the past 12 months. But if the money were right either would greet him.
He may have a better chance against the elder, 38-year-old Vitali Klitschko who may be due to look old one day soon. For the record, WBC Champ Vitali is looking at a December voluntary against unbeaten but unknown American Kevin Johnson.
Brother Wladimir (IBF, WBO, IBO Champ) has some wiggle room but owes an IBF mandatory to Russian Alexander Povetkin(now training with Teddy Atlas) now, and a WBO mandatory to American Eddie Chambers within nine months.
The other “name” out there is suspect contender Ruslan Chagaev. He’ll move up to mandatory status within a year strictly by attrition of the others dying of old age or neglect.
But Haye might decide to grab a couple of easy paydays for himself against voluntary contenders like he was and try to avoid Ruiz and his lawyers for a while and then try to force a unification challenge with either or the remaining Klitschko. Maybe a Valuev rematch. Maybe Holyfield.
Holyfield is down on this fight for two reasons. No. 1: He’s not in it. No. 2: He says he was in six legitimate heavyweight fights before he got his first title fight with Buster Douglas. This is only Haye’s second heavyweight fight..
Valuev looks like an ancient 7’0 Bigfoot or Sasquatch, who long ago saw better days. Haye looks like a slick 6’3 NBA point guard.
But Haye has 21 knockouts among his 22 career victories. The record books say Valuev is 36. But would you trust a Ukranian record keeper if your life depended on it?
After a few tentative first round jabs, I see Haye trying to strictly live up to his moniker as the “Haymaker.”
Usually when you have a size and shape differences like we have here, the first couple of rounds are pretty interesting even if the fight becomes a yawner.
I’m going to watch what happens with this promotion as we are now only a month out. This may be a good appetizer for Pacquiao – Cotto a week later.
I’m also going to follow this “no USA TV” situation and report on it as the fight gets closer.
