David Haye's First Opponent Options (Poll included)
by Fooch
on Jun 17, 2008 7:03 PM EDT
Dan Rafael had an interesting piece today running down the potential options for David Haye's first fight in the heavyweight division. Haye has said he'll fight a "name" fighter and not some washed up, unknown tomato can. I'm guessing it could be a washed up, known tomato can, but I suppose that's better than nothing, right? Some of the guys included:
- Winner of Rahman-Toney
- Oleg Maskaev
- Jameel McCline
- Evander Holyfield
- Kali Meehan
Rafael indicated the Holyfield one is more of what a matchmaker might come up with, but the rest are certainly interesting names. Considering the state of the heavyweight division, there isn't a ton of talent, but it'd be nice to see Haye take on someone that people have some sort of inkling about.
Any other suggestions for who Haye should fight in his first fight?
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Really, I like all of the fights for Haye except Evander. I know what Rafael’s saying, though, because it would gain the most attention of all these potential matchups. He’s EVANDER HOLYFIELD, no matter what, and some people will care. What I worry about there is that Haye probably eventually hurts Holyfield enough for a referee to stop it, and then people write off Haye as having beaten up an old man that shouldn’t have been there. It’d be hard not to, since Holyfield’s an old man that shouldn’t be there.
I guess the Rahman-Toney II winner makes the most sense. It’s been a long time since Meehan was on anyone’s radar, and McCline is just a big slug. Maskaev doesn’t deserve the payday after that song-and-dance he ran Peter through.
There’s always these guys, too:
Sultan Ibragimov—badly needs to restore his image. Good boxer when he feels like it, which you’d have never known from that Wlad fight. Probably a step above what Golden Boy is thinking.
Lamon Brewster—I doubt Lamon wants to fight again. His eye is a serious concern. But he can punch and is past his best days.
Audley Harrison—what a spectacular KO this would be, and the end of Fraudley. David Haye wouldn’t just have the vast majority of his home country behind him, but the entire world. Doesn’t fit with the Setanta stip that a guy has to be ranked in the top 10 in the WBC, IBF, WBO or WBA, but I’m sure someone could make it happen. Franck Gorjux got ranked No. 10 at 115 once, and Gary Lockett was just a No. 1 mandatory.
John Ruiz—say what you want about Ruiz, but he’ll fight anyone.
Shannon Briggs—where have you gone, Joe Douchemaggio, a nation turns its lonely eye to you? Woo ooh ooh. Briggs is a former titleholder, decent name, and stands really still. Haye might knock his hair off. As much as I dislike Shannon as a fighter, I like him as a commentator. He could stick to that and that’d be great.
"Yesterday I was lying, today I am telling the truth." -- Bob Arum
by SC on Jun 18, 2008 5:02 PM EDT 0 recs
I voted for Rahman/Toney II winner as well
I think it’d be best if the opponent was coming off of a win. Not sure it means that much, but it just feels better to me that way.
Harrison’s nickname of ‘Fraudley’ never ceases to amuse me :)
I’m not sure a big slug is the right move for Haye, he’s better off starting with a smaller heavyweight.
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by your friendly BullsBlogger on
Jun 18, 2008 5:08 PM EDT
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Top 10
As I believe Rafael alluded to, Haye’s contract I guess stipulates that his first few opponents must be ranked in a top 10. If that is the case, it would limit the options, knocking out Harrison, Holyfield and Briggs.
That said, I really think Haye could be the best thing to happen to the division in a long time. I think he needs to fight someone that will make the American audience do more than blink. I don’t think that is Hasim Rahman.
As much as it is wrong, embarassing and I don’t want to see it, the answer just might be Holyfield. With the obvious comparisons to be drawn, if Haye retires Holyfield, he’ll be known.
by BabyBull1289 on Jun 20, 2008 6:10 AM EDT 0 recs
Rahman/Toney
I voted for the winner of Rahman/Toney, because Toney is the only one of these fighters I give a shit about. And Rahman would make at least as good of a first opponent as the others.
by Matt Miller on Jun 21, 2008 1:00 AM EDT 0 recs
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