By Scott Gilfoid: Former WBA heavyweight champion David Haye (26-2, 24 KO’s) is hoping to get in position to become the mandatory challenger for a fight against IBF/IBO/WBA/WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko if Haye can annihilate fellow Brit Tyson Fury in their fight on September 28th at the Manchester Arena in the UK.
Haye is already ranked #1 WBA, so it’s not exactly going to be difficult for him to get the mandatory spot by the World Boxing Association, not that it’ll help him any once he does get a title shot.
Wladimir already toyed with Haye in beating him 2 years ago, and a rematch between would likely have a similar outcome. Haye, 6’2”, 214 lbs., is just too small and short to beat a fighter like Wladimir. He’s like another Eddie Chambers.
Haye said to the Daily Star “I don’t think this fight [Fury] has any bearing on whether Vitali or Wladimir want to fight me. All it will reconfirm is that I’m a big pay-per-view draw, and it means a lot of money to them. If I get in the mandatory position it helps. As long as I am fighting ranked opponents the governing bodies will recognize that.”
Of course, they’ll recognize it. I’m sure the WBA wouldn’t mind having Haye fight Wladimir for the title, because it’ll be a big fight. But again, it’s another mismatch due to Haye’s lack of size and his tendency to play it safe when he fights big fighters.
Haye has fought two really big heavyweights during his career in Nikolay Valuev and Wladimir. Haye beat Valuev by a controversial 12 round majority decision in 2009 in a fight that appeared to be won by Valuv instead of Haye.
Haye shouldn’t have any problems beating Tyson Fury next month, because Fury can’t punch at all, and he’s vulnerable as heck to getting knocked out due his fragile chin.
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