What would a David Haye win mean for the glamour division?

By Rob Mack - 07/30/2013 - Comments

haye54By Rob Mack: There was once a time when Heavyweight boxing was the talk of world sport and many considered it to be the ‘glamour’ division of the industry, however following a period of Klitschko domination and a distinct lack in talent, interest has plummeted.

Then, like a shining light (that Sky Sports would have you believe) David Haye (26-2, 24KO’s) and Tyson Fury (21-0,15KO’s) signed on the dotted line. Boxing fans and neutrals alike watched in hysterics as Tyson Fury played villain when the two met at the presser. And since then the internet has feasted on opinions about what this offering will bring, mainly the traditional “Haye will knock him out in one” comment.

So if David Haye was to stop Fury early, what would this mean for the heavyweight division?

Haye hasn’t fought since he stopped the human wrecking ball, Dereck Chisora last year. A talented contender without doubt, however he had been through a murderer’s row of heavyweights before the bout and turned up to all of them, including the Haye fight, well out of shape.

Since then David Haye has stated he wants to be an actor, appeared on reality TV shows and attended other celebrity events. When all this was happening, Tyson Fury was in the trenches, climbing off the canvas, slogging it out and beating some American fringe and some genuine title contenders. Never impressing as a world elite fighter, but still proving good value in entertainment along the way.

If David Haye was to return and obliterate Fury, any legitimacy that the rankings have now will have gone. Fury is in the top ten of all but one of the governing bodies and to see a contender beaten by an inactive fighter would be a loss to the sport. I for one would rather not hear months of Haye calling out the Klitchko’s and would certainly not want to see a rematch between two Heavyweights who prefer not to engage in a fight.

For all of his weaknesses, Tyson Fury does have a genuine love for the sport and brings something completely different to a stale heavyweight division. The only other likeable or even remotely interesting character in the top ten rankings is Tony Thompson and sadly his time has been and gone.

I just hope for the good of the sport that it isn’t an early demolition and at the least would like to see Fury lose but show why he is considered to be a top ten heavyweight. I’d like to see Fury fight at range for the opening rounds and then engage late on by pressing Haye and test his toughness and stamina. However only a fool could completely right off the likelihood of a David Haye stoppage… I say through gritted teeth.



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