By John F. McKenna (McJack): It appears that the much anticipated fight between David Haye, AKA “The Hayemaker” (26-1, 23 KO’s) and Vladimir Klitschko, AKA “Dr. Steelhammer” (55-3, 49 KO’s) is finally going to take place. The fight between WBA title holder David Haye and Vladimir Klitschko who holds the IBF, WBO titles will be a unification match. Vitali Klitschko is the WBC title holder. It has long been the dream of the Klitschko’s to hold all four titles. Klitschko manager Bernd Bonte said the Haye – Klitschko fight is 99% sealed and that all the previous obstacles for the fight taking place had been worked out. The fight will most likely take place at a German venue either on June 25 or July 2.
The Haye – Klitschko title fight will be a huge shot in the arm for boxing and in particular the heavyweight division. A heavyweight title fight is the biggest prize in sports and captures the imagination of boxing fans and sports fans alike as no other event does. The heavyweight division has long been at the forefront when it comes to generating excitement. The Jack Dempsey – Georges Carpentier fight on July 2, 1921 generated the first million dollar gate in boxing history when over 80,000 fans descended on Boyles Thirty Acres in Jersey City, New Jersey to watch Dempsey KO a badly overmatched Carpentier. The live gate was nearly $1,800,000. The Dempsey – Carpentier fight and the excitement it engendered is what boxing needed at the time. This story has been repeated over and over in boxing history. The heavyweight division has been counted out many times, only to be revived by a fight that captures the imagination of the boxing fans.
Like him or not, David Haye generates controversy and excitement, which translates into ticket sales. David Haye is already boasting that he is going to “crush both of the Klitschko Brothers.” In a press conference a couple of years ago, the “Hayemaker” showed up wearing a tee shirt depicting the decapitated heads and corpses of the Klitschko Brothers. It definitely got both of the Klitschko’s attention. The Brothers were understandably upset. Perhaps that is what Haye is attempting to do, get Vlad so rattled that he loses his cool and fights out of anger and starts making mistakes that he normally would not make.
Part of Muhammad Ali’s strategy was to do a psych job on his opponents. That was what the name calling was all about. Joe Frazier became the “Gorilla” that Ali would destroy in Manila. Floyd Patterson was the “Rabbit, George Chuvalo the “Washer Woman” and Ernie Shavers was the “Acorn”. Ali pysched out George Foreman by not sitting down between rounds and by saying to him “Don’t fall now George, the whole world is watching!” Sonny Liston was the “Big Ugly Bear”. In some instances the psychological warfare seems to have worked. Liston quit in his corner between rounds. Foreman too appeared to be taken in by the psych job and wore himself out attempting to take Ali’s head off. Ernie Terrell also appeared to be under Ali’s spell when Ali kept asking him “What’s my name?”, when Terrell would not call him by his Muslim name. Not one of Terrell’s better performances.
It is difficult to ascertain whether David Haye actually believes his own trash talk.
Based on some of his performances and the opponents he has fought, it would seem he is somewhat delusional if he thinks he can handle both of the Klitschko’s as easily as he claims he will. One thing is certain. Many of the boxing fans who pay money to watch this fight will be doing so in hopes of watching Haye get his head handed to him.
It is difficult for this author to see how Haye can get past Klitschko’s left jab, which I believe is one of the best of any Heavyweight Champion in boxing history. Couple that with Vlad’s powerful left hook, which he used to KO Eddie Chambers a year ago and his devastating right hand. Any of the weapons in “Dr. Steelhammer’s” arsenal can end a fight at any time. To make matters worse for Haye, Vlad continually works with Emanuel Steward to improve his technique and appears to be getting better with each fight.
Hopefully this fight does happen and boxing fans all over the world get the opportunity to view it. A rebirth of interest in the heavyweight division is sorely needed.
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