David Haye v Tyson Fury: A Paradox

By Boxing News - 07/16/2013 - Comments

haye6544By BoxingMuse: The announcement of the UK heavyweight blockbuster between former WBA heavyweight champ David ‘The Hayemaker’ Haye and boxing’s newest emerging big man Tyson Fury has provided the boxing world with a conundrum to try and figure out.

Will the slick explosive boxer-puncher and former two-weight world champion David Haye prevail and re-announce himself on the heavyweight scene once again?

Or will Tyson Fury, the young 6’9” genetically gifted boxer with a touch of traveler fighting spirit secure victory and catapult his name near the top of the heavyweight division?

The reason I suggest this bout is a conundrum, an enigma and an unknown entity is that although Haye is around a 6-1 favourite according to the bookmakers at this point in time, the intriguing matter is that this match up of heavyweights represents an untraditional and unprecedented affair in the ‘sweet science’, a sport in which history often repeats itself.

The fight is untraditional in that it is not the case of changing of the guard, the young up and coming heavyweight pitched up against the faded former champ, over-matched purposefully so that the new kid on the block adds a legendary name to his resume without facing the risk of defeat at a vital time in their fledging career whilst boosting popularity and gaining credit for beating the shell of a once great pugilist. Much like how Trevor Berbick & Larry Holmes faced ‘The Greatest’ at the very end of the road in Muhammad Ali’s career.

Although Fury is the youngest of the pair who will be 25 by the time the fight takes place, Haye is a fresh 32 as his lifestyle and application in the sport has seen him not take any unnecessary punishment. You could class Haye as the veteran compared to Tyson, the prospect but it is just simply not your conventional set up.

It is accurate to say that Tyson Fury has the momentum on his side as in recent years his profile has been steadily rising due to some good, solid and average performances but mainly due to his personality as a trash talking outspoken character within a fairly stagnant heavyweight scene. But it is also fair to state that there is no declining demand for Haye, before this bout was arranged there was buzz around the Bermondsey born boxer returning to the scene stating that he was going to re-launch his career as an active boxer and work his way up to another shot at a world title by starting with scalping Manuel ‘Diamond Boy’ Charr. Haye intended to stay relevant to the British public by appearing on TV show ‘I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!’ and producing ‘David Haye’s Box & Tone, a workout DVD.

While there is more momentum with Tyson as an unbeaten blossoming contender, David Haye is not the typical stepping stone a prospect would usually come across. Haye is unique as a heavyweight in the way that although he is a fairly small competitor in the biggest division, at 6’3” and around 210lbs Haye possesses chilling punching power which could trouble any heavyweight operating, if connected with cleanly.

When bouts are made for a rising talent to showcase their skills, the opponent should be of a high calibre but way past their prime examples such as Povetkin beating Rahman, Briggs beating Foreman and Marciano beating Louis.

I believe Fury has not unearthed his potential and is not yet at his peak and Haye is no way near the end of his career, with more to offer. Fury looked vulnerable against ‘USS’ Cunningham being troubled by the agile style of boxing Cunningham produced although the young Manchurian went on to win by a scruffy knockout, Fury met the canvas not for the first time against seemingly light-fisted heavyweights.

Haye hasn’t fought since looking fairly impressive knocking out ‘Del-Boy’ Chisora at Upton Park exactly a year today. Inactivity could play a factor in this battle.

Haye V Fury doesn’t seem to follow conventional boxing match making law. Fury the man with momentum and youth on his side is not the favourite to win. Haye the former heavyweight champ who has been near the pinnacle of the sport has been selected as a potential claim to fame for Fury if he can be victorious.

This is not two typical contenders battling it out for mandatory positioning such as Arreola v Stiverne or one undisputed heavyweight king fighting an unheralded challenger such as Wladimir Klitschko v Francesco Pianeta.

The 200lbs + division is starting to regain a little life, among ‘The Ring Magazine’s top 10 heavyweight rankings which includes The Klitschko’s, Povetkin, Pulev, Adamek, Chagaev, Helenius, Thompson and Stiverne.

Although there is no title currently at stake, in my personal opinion the Haye V Fury fight represents the chance to be crowned the number one most exciting heavyweight in the world.

Like it or not Haye and Fury have provided excitement in and out of the ring, for right and wrong reasons. Both are controversial characters, both are dangerous fighters; Haye with his power and Fury with his size. Both are vulnerable under attack. Both have been criticized for not living up to hype and both want to prove their worth and make a case for a title shot against the ruling Brothers.

So what is your take on this heavyweight enigma? Feel free to write your comments below and also if you want to ask me a question or comment on the Haye V Fury fight (negative or positive) please follow and tweet me @BoxingMuse or your welcome to email me at boxingmuse@live.co.uk, even if you just want a debate on any boxing matter!



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