Whenever David Haye fights it?s an occasion. The same can be said for Tyson Fury. The reason why their fights are occasions has less to do with the fights themselves than with the verbal pyrotechnics preceding their fights.
The two combatants are usually more than willing to speak their mind. They may not always think before opening their mouths, but that is part of the fun. However, when all is said and done, it?s what Haye and Fury do in the ring that matters. The rest of it, while entertaining, sometimes seems better suited to a circus.
On September 28, David Haye and Tyson Fury are going to get it on at Manchester Arena. Tickets are selling like hotcakes. Some are already calling it the Fight of the Year. Fight of the Year sounds good, but it will sound even better when the fight is over, when one can assess what went down with a clear head.
At today?s presser at the Landmark Hotel on London?s South Bank, Haye and Fury did not quite live up to expectations. They were more or less respectful. They were more or less polite. They didn?t interrupt or mock one another excessively. Those who were expecting Broner-Malignaggi type animus must have been a little disappointed. But things will heat up. That?s a certainty.
?I?m very excited,? Haye said. ?I like to go out there and give the fans what they want to see. A lot of people don?t think Tyson deserves a shot. But in my opinion he does. He?s got a string of victories, 21. It?s not easy to do. He?s up there. He?s got a world ranking. But my goal is to regain the heavyweight championship of the world and to do that, I think this is a step in the right direction.
?I?ve been out of the ring for a little while, so getting back in the ring against a big, strong lad like Tyson will bring out the best in myself. There are people who think he might be too big and too rough for me, and that?s great. I?m the seasoned veteran in this situation, which is new territory for me going up against a young hungry lion who wants his place in boxing history. He claims he?s the best ever, the best that there will ever be. That?s a bold statement. I have to question that statement he made, but this is an opportunity to shut me up and prove to the world that he?s the best on the planet. I?m happy to give him that opportunity, and also to give him a nice payday. I believe this will be his last shot at the big time.?
The young hungry lion spoke next.
?First of all I?d like to address the situation that David brought up, where he?s giving me the opportunity for this big payday. You?re the challenger. Let?s not get confused David. Because before the Tyson Fury fight, where were you going to go? Who were you going to fight? Nobody. I?m giving you a chance. So you can claim your claim to fame is to try to beat Tyson Fury. I?m the one that?s on everyone?s tongue. After the fight with me he?s going to have a lot to say, and people will laugh at him for all the bullshit he talked.?
Fury leaned back in his chair with a big smile on his face.
There was a moment of silence. Then Haye laughed dismissively, and little too self-consciously.
The repartee went on, as repartee does, for what seemed like forever and a day. Haye and Fury halfheartedly traded barbs. Fury called Haye a steppingstone. He called him a dog. He dismissed Haye?s victory over Nicolai Valuev, to whom Fury has been compared, as being totally without value. He also called Haye a little girl.
This is a fight where it?s hard to know who to root for. It may boil down to which fighter one least wants to see lose. Fury, for all his bravado, may have bitten off more than he can chew; assuming, that is, Haye has no injuries, undisclosed or otherwise, when fight night rolls around. Follow us on Twitter@boxing_com to continue the discussion
