By William Mackay: WBA heavyweight champion David Haye (24-1, 22 KO’s) wasn’t shaking in his boots over World Boxing Council heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko’s win over Shannon Briggs (51-6-1, 45 KO’s) last Saturday night. Haye, 30, who has a fight coming up against his hand picked opponent 38-year-old Audley Harrison on November 13th, had this to say in an article at the Telegraph.co.uk: “I’m not worrying about old timers like Briggs. he is years past his best. I am sharper than ever, and I’ll get to the Klitschkos when I’m ready. For now, I’m focused on sending Audley Harrison down a one-way street with no return.” What jumps out at me in reading Haye’s comments is that he seems to be under the impression that he’s calling the shots for the fights with the Klitschko brothers.

His comment “I’ll get to the Klitschkos when I’m ready,” seems to suggest that he can get the fights whenever he wants them. If I’m one of the Klitschkos, I’d make Haye work for a fight by waiting until he actually beats someone good instead of the 2nd tier fighters that he’s been fighting. I know John Ruiz was technically ranked number #1 by the WBA for some bizarre out of this world reason, but I saw Ruiz as someone who had no business being ranked in the top 20, let alone at number #1.

I’m still waiting on Haye to fight someone with a pulse in the heavyweight division. I’d like to see Haye at least beat someone like Odlanier Solis, Alexander Povetkin, Denis Boytsov or Samuel Peter. I’d be happy if he could even beat one of those fighters, but I’m fairly certain Haye will retire without ever faced those guys. I question Haye as a champion because of his weak opposition since moving up to the division two years ago.

Haye will be facing Harrison next month, but after that it’s unclear who Haye will be fighting. Vitali has once again offered Haye a 50-50 deal for a fight, but it’s doubtful that will entice Haye into fighting him. Haye will likely continue to milk his title against some other weak heavyweight that will enable him to get a big payday in the UK without risking a knockout loss. Thus far, Haye has been the opposite of what he claimed he would be when he moved up to the heavyweight division. He originally said he would be a breath of fresh air and that he would clean up the division. Hen hasn’t backed up his words and appears to be cleaning up on heavyweights nearing 40.