Haye, Booth talking Wembley for Klitschko fight

by SC on Nov 9, 2009 9:19 AM EST in News Analysis Comment 27 comments

David Haye says he'll be gone from boxing by age 31. He sees three more fights in his future. (AP Photo/Christof Stache)

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As the boxing world goes topsy-turvy over David Haye, the big quotes just keep flying in. His manager/trainer, Adam Booth, says that Wembley Stadium have contacted him about a fight between Haye and a Klitschko brother, and Haye himself says he sees three more fights in his future.

"Wembley Stadium have contacted me already. David against one of the Klitschkos will be one of the biggest fights in heavyweight history."

It's almost as if he doesn't realize that the vast majority of boxing's biggest fights, ever, have been at heavyweight, and that if you adjust for eras and inflation and all that, even the fact that Klitschko (either) versus Haye would be quite a big deal still wouldn't have it among the biggest fights in heavyweight history. But then again we have Floyd Mayweather claiming he's the most successful and greatest boxer ever, so why not this?

Haye has said before that he doesn't plan to stick around for too much longer, and he's staying with that for now:

"So it'll be Ruiz, both the Klitschkos and a couple of defences, then I'm gone by the time I'm 31."

Everyone's always going to retire at 30, 31, and then they don't, but if all these guys stick to it, boxing is about to turn into a very violent tennis in terms of what might be considered peak years and what have you. Everyone is very intent on getting their money and getting out, which is understandable, but it's almost never happened that way. If this newest generation of star fighters really do stick to their guns, boxing might well change considerably. The long running-up of records may fall by the wayside a bit.

Of course it would take about a decade to really establish a trend like that, so it's of no consequence just yet.

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I would love to see Haye fight a klitscko brother and would definitely travel to Wembley to watch it happen.

"Honey i forgot to duck" - Jack Dempsey

by Drunken cutman on Nov 9, 2009 9:22 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

When was the last time they had a public execution at Wembley?

After he stunk it up over the weekend, Haye better make sure he beats Ruiz before he goes making his Klitschko reservations.

Also, does Wembley know about Haye’s penchant for tucking and running when it comes to the Klitschko’s? They could end up with a lot of angry ticketholders left out in the cold when the fight is canceled.

Although detractors decry (MMA) as a brutal, bloody form of human cockfighting, aficionados know it is a brutal, bloody, totally fucking awesome form of human cockfighting. -The Onion

by The Kittitas Kid on Nov 10, 2009 12:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Wembley can pack in upto 100K or so I think they need to promote Haye a little more and get him to fight a few more fighters as sort of tune ups to the Klitchsko brothers.

Then put on a big fight and try to pack out Wembley for what I assume would be the biggest live audience for any fight.

Either way these guys need to do things right this division sucks monkey balls bring some fucking life to it, take a risk, promote a little etc etc.

by MannyPacquiao on Nov 9, 2009 9:51 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Promote him more?

You having a laugh? Find a British paper without him in it today – The Sun are running story after story (how long before the old gf’s crawl out of the woodwork?) – The BBC have his life story specials, Myspace has “Add David Haye” on the front page, he’s on radio, TV, frankly, he’s bloody everywhere.

Weirdly, when he toppled Mormeck, then Enzo and unified, no one cared…. :P

What a difference a weight class can make – Chad Dawson, are you paying attention – go up, or go down, but Lt Heavy isn’t the place to be.

"Chris Eubank lost his recent comeback fight on points ... the main one being that he's a total git."

by bazzlad on Nov 9, 2009 11:26 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

This guy

needs to take a lesson from Chris Arreola and wait until he is ready. The longer he waits, the more he can build his reputation and the older the brothers will be.

by ryanwk628 on Nov 9, 2009 11:24 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

the older the brothers will be.

This is actually a good reason for the Klitschkos to make this fight soon. Of course if they don’t want anything to do with him after the way he has screwed them around then that’s perfectly understandable. Still Vitali seems all for proving that he is much better than any of the up and coming contenders and I still see him likely to fight Haye.

This is, of course, a good thing and I would love to see it. Haye would need some damn good body movement and a really smart plan to actually get close to landing on Vitali. Haye still has a better chance against him than Vlad IMO. You can say that Vlad may be open to damage because of his chin but his jab would simply eat up Haye’s face for a few rounds and then a right hand would floor the brash Londoner. Efficient, effective, maybe brilliantly executed but still dull.

I believe that Vitali would dispose of Haye with similar ease if he looked like he did against Chris Arreola but it would almost definitely be more entertaining than a fight with little brother.

"Honey i forgot to duck" - Jack Dempsey

by Drunken cutman on Nov 9, 2009 3:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Right, but I thought we were trying to get away from fights that only mattered in Europe. Let him KO Chris Arreola or some american with name value and cement some ppv buys state side. Meanwhile the Klitschkos can get over being burned before and Haye gets them a little older.

by ryanwk628 on Nov 9, 2009 3:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I would love him to fight Arreola as it would be a really exciting firefight but I don’t mind about fights only mattering in Europe. If a young and talented contender taking on the champion of the world who has dominated his recent fights with ease doesn’t matter to Americans then that’s their problem.

Still if I was managing or advising him I would be keeping him away from the brothers till at least after a few more fights in the states to build a fan base there.

"Honey i forgot to duck" - Jack Dempsey

by Drunken cutman on Nov 9, 2009 3:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Lewis was a name here. Haye is likely more marketable. It would be silly to rush into this big fight without building it up appropriately.

by ryanwk628 on Nov 9, 2009 3:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yes indeed

He could make a nice name for himself in America if marketed properly which, going on his past success in this area, he will be!

"Honey i forgot to duck" - Jack Dempsey

by Drunken cutman on Nov 9, 2009 3:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

That Guy

Needs to take a lesson from Haye and actually get in shape.

"Chris Eubank lost his recent comeback fight on points ... the main one being that he's a total git."

by bazzlad on Nov 10, 2009 3:50 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm not saying this is going to happen...

…but wouldn’t it be at least a little funny if John Ruiz makes it an ugly fight and actually threatens to get a decision over Haye?

It’s not likely, but couldn’t you see Haye underestimating Ruiz’s power just a little? He might be slow, lumbering and a bore to watch, but he’s not as slow, not as lumbering and not as boring to watch as the guy he just beat.

The only way this could be possible is if Ruiz can be the aggressor, cut off the ring and force Haye to fight inside and with his back to ropes. Haye’s probably far too quick to get into those situations in the first place. But the more Haye talks about the Klitschko’s (either of whom he could have fought already), the more he risks an even more embarrassing loss.

Yes! Yes! In the face!

by LeafHawk on Nov 9, 2009 2:31 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

but wouldn’t it be at least a little funny if John Ruiz makes it an ugly fight and actually threatens to get a decision over Haye?

I actually think Ruiz will be more of a challenge than Valuev was.

"Honey i forgot to duck" - Jack Dempsey

by Drunken cutman on Nov 9, 2009 3:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I can see why you might be of that opinion.

Ruiz, though a much smaller man, has more power than Valuev. He’s not a one-punch-KO kinda guy or anything, but he has more pop in his power shots than the big Russian. If he can land a few good combinations, he could have a shot of trying to end it early. I don’t think Haye’s gonna threaten to win this fight any way other than by decision. But I don’t see Ruiz being able to keep up with the hand speed and movement Haye brings to the table.

I also think Haye may have been just a bit intimidated by Valuev’s size, even if he hasn’t the slightest idea how to really use it (I maintain that with a real trainer and some serious cardio-work, Valuev could be a legit top 3 HW and give either Klitschko brother a fight). That’s not going to be an issue against The Quiet Man.

Yes! Yes! In the face!

by LeafHawk on Nov 9, 2009 4:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Good Points

I also think that that we will learn a lot more about Haye at HW based on his fight with Ruiz. Not sure I agree about Valuev ever being a challenge for a Klitschko. perhaps he’s just too slow or maybe you’re right. I doubt we’ll ever know!

"Honey i forgot to duck" - Jack Dempsey

by Drunken cutman on Nov 9, 2009 4:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Nah, he's never leaving the management he has now.

Not to mention he’s probably already past the point of being able to unlearn some of the issues he still has (lifting his chin after throwing power punches, always coming in straight, etc.). He’ll be one of those “What If?” cases considering he had some basic ability. I’d be interested to see what you could do with an athletic 7-footer in the ring with proper training as a child. Obviously basketball gets all the elite athletic seven footers, but I think that kind of size and reach advantage, put in a proper training package, could be devastating.

Yes! Yes! In the face!

by LeafHawk on Nov 9, 2009 6:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I was saying yesterday that I give Ruiz a far better chance than most will

It’s not that I think he’ll win, but this isn’t some walkover for Haye, whose chin remains dodgy. Yes, David should win, but it’s not even close to a certainty.

Bad Left Hook
"Well Howie, I think I'm going to stay outside and outjab him." -- Tex Cobb telling Howard Cosell how he would approach Larry Holmes

by SC on Nov 9, 2009 6:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I have no problem seeing Ruiz winning that fight.

I am not a drinker of the Haye kool-aid. I didn’t even think he won on Saturday, and neither did the Sky Sports broadcast crew.

Although detractors decry (MMA) as a brutal, bloody form of human cockfighting, aficionados know it is a brutal, bloody, totally fucking awesome form of human cockfighting. -The Onion

by The Kittitas Kid on Nov 10, 2009 12:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Pleease not another boring Ruiz fight! He is not the fighter people think he is! He only exists cause there’s no one else out there! There’s a fairly simple formula to beat Ruiz.. And I’m pretty sure most heavyweights know it. And Haye? He’s a really good promising talent but he’s scared. He’s scared to go for it all. He doesn’t have guts. He’s already trying to wind down the road to retirement. He’s still very young but only wants three more fights.. So Why would I want to pay soo much attention in a man who wants to take the money and run?? (Reminds me of an old Steve Miller song) Arreola would be more of a challenge.. But I just don’t think He’s ready just yet..He’s too sloppy still and needs to take his training more seriously. I reallly hope Haye don’t fight Ruiz.

by killah27 on Nov 9, 2009 3:55 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Ruiz is the WBA’s mandatory.

by taco pal on Nov 9, 2009 4:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Oh I know..And it ‘s amazing too.He’s in the right era to box in.That’s how he survives.

by killah27 on Nov 9, 2009 4:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

David Tua would have stopped Haye OR Valuev on Saturday.

Probably both in the same night, now I come to think about it.

Boxing is the beginning of all sports. I'm willing to bet that the first sport was a man against another man in a fight. (Omar Epps)

by Chaos100 on Nov 9, 2009 4:13 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Maybe

Tua never reacted well to getting hit hard and Haye has plenty of power. Also he’s getting rather old now and his punch resistance has to be slipping away. I would love to see it though. I seem to be saying that about so many possible Haye match ups, I’m even looking forward to his match-up with Ruiz, to a certain extent! He’s going to be an exciting guy.

"Honey i forgot to duck" - Jack Dempsey

by Drunken cutman on Nov 9, 2009 4:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs