It’s now or never for Haye – Klitschko fight

By Boxing News - 03/24/2012 - Comments

By John F. McKenna (McJack): Within weeks of his “retirement” upon reaching his 31st birthday on October 13, 2011, former WBA heavyweight champion David Haye (25-2, 23 KO’s) expressed an interest in coming back to face WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko (44-2, 40 KO’s). To be sure when the “Hayemaker” retired he left the door open for the possibility of fighting one of the Klitschko brothers.

After his one sided and embarrassing loss to WBA/IBF/WBO/IBO and The Ring heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko (57-3, 50 KO’s) last July, “Dr. Steelhammer” expressed no interest in giving Haye a rematch. Vitali on the other hand had some unfinished business with the former WBA champion. “Dr. Ironfist” felt as though Haye had disrespected the Klitschko family and wanted to fight him so that he could “Send him to the floor.” as he put it.

While Vitali was happy that his brother had defeated Haye in convincing fashion he was not happy that Wladimir did not KO The “Hayemaker”. Vitali and Wladimir, although very close as brothers, remain competitive. Vitali told Wladimir after the fight with Haye in July that he should have knocked David out.

Over the last several weeks there have been numerous conflicting stories coming out of both the Haye and Klitschko camps as to whether or not a fight between Vitali and David was in the offing.

A day or so after “Dr. Steelhammer’s” easy victory over Jean-Marc Mormeck on March 3, Haye jubilantly announced to the world that there would in fact be a showdown between himself and Vitali. “Dr. Ironfist” later confirmed what Haye had announced. Klitschko manager Bernd Boente however threw a wrench into the gears by countermanding what both Haye and Klitschko had already announced.

Now all the boxing world is left with is rumor and innuendo. There have been hints by some boxing insiders that a deal has already been worked out by the Klitschko management team. The speculation is that Boente is playing his cards close to his vest and does not want to make the announcement of a Haye – Klitschko fight prematurely.
Part of Boente’s reasoning to stay mum on the subject for the time being may be the happenings immediately after the fight between Wladimir and Mormeck.

Haye’s involvement in the brawl between himself, and Chisora and his entourage may preclude an announcement for the time being of a fight between Vitali and David. However the history of boxing is such that when the amount of money involved is sufficient things that seem unlikely wind up happening.

There is no doubt that Vitali would like to fight Haye before he retires. “Dr. Ironfist” has acknowledged that the two fighters he would most like to fight are Lennox Lewis and David Haye. And unless he can lure Lewis out of retirement for what would be a severe beat down for Lewis’ after nine years of inactivity that leaves Haye.

It is doubtful at this point that the strong willed Vitali Klitschko is willing to ride off into the sunset without engaging the two opponents he would most like to fight. It is also doubtful that Vitali is going to allow himself to be overridden by his manager Bernd Boente. That just doesn’t seem to be in the cards.

Whatever else one may think of Haye he did manage to land a couple of well placed “Hayemaker’s” on not only Chisora but on his entourage as well. And the picture of Haye walking up to a smiling Vitali Klitschko after the melee and shaking his hand after dispatching of team Chisora speaks volumes.

If a fight between David Haye and Vitali Klitschko is ever to happen it must happen within the next few months. Vitali most likely will retire after another one or two more fights. Haye has to fight now rather than risking another loss. The Haye – Klitschko fight must happen now, or it will never happen.



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