Haye v Harrison can be a little Brit special

By Boxing News - 09/10/2010 - Comments

Image: Haye v Harrison can be a little Brit specialBy Chris McHugh: Following the announcement that World Boxing Association (WBA) heavyweight champion David ‘The Hayemaker’ Haye was going to face Audley ‘A-Force’ Harrison at the MEN Arena, I must admit I was as disappointed as most boxing fans around the world.

But after the opening round of trash-talking, and seeing the genuine dislike these two former friends have for each other, I can’t help but get excited about this all-British affair.

I can understand people saying that Haye has gone for the easy option, avoiding the Klitschko brothers, and I can also understand when people say that Harrison is far from deserving of a world title shot, but the bottom line is this fight is great for British boxing.

There is still a genuine interest in Harrison around the UK, if not just to see somebody put an end to the “ joke that is the Audley Harrison show,” as Haye so elegantly put it, while we all know that ‘The Hayemaker’ is capable of pulling in the viewing figures and grabbing the media’s attention with his brash, out-spoken approach.

It is 17 years since the UK’s public and media had the chance to witness a British battle for the world heavyweight championship, when Lennox Lewis defeated Frank Bruno for the WBC title in Cardiff, and with the way Haye and Harrison have started trading verbal blows they are going to lap it up.

I do believe that the build up to the fight will be far more entertaining than the action inside the ring, as I can’t see ‘A-Force’ lasting for more than three rounds with the younger, faster and all-round better boxer Haye. However, the champion’s chin has been called into question before and if the 6ft 5in Harrison manages to connect with a left bomb we could be in for one hell of a shock.

The champion may take a little stick for even entertaining the idea of facing Harrison but why not treat us Brits and give the UK what it wants. If Haye is really realistic about challenging the Klitschkos he should comfortably dispose of the 2000 Olympic gold medalist and add another knockout to his record, which currently stands at 22 from 24 wins.

He can then set up the mega fight that the heavyweight division is crying out for against either of the Ukrainian siblings for next year and he will finally be able to show whether he really is as good as he claims.

But until then I’m going to enjoy the war of words as the Battle of Britain heats up and you can bet most of the pubs around the UK will be packed to the rafters on November 13, as we find out who can not only talk the talk but can also walk the walk.



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