Haye’s unlikely heroics
In a world where boxers get paid to punch, two pugilists stomached blows of another sort this week for comments they made that were deemed offensive. This isn’t to say that boxers shouldn’t take flack for questionable content. But there’s something to be said about the mirrored incidents that unfolded this week between Floyd “Money” Mayweather and David “the Hayemaker” Haye, and the way each fighter handled his respective situation.
Last week, Mayweather uploaded a video in which he ranted, in characteristically boorish fashion, about seven-division titlist, Manny Pacquiao. So far, Mayweather has remained silent on the subject of the fight, choosing instead to temporarily exile himself from the sport. Against this backdrop, “Money” finally opened up on the fight last week and said that he would beat Pacquiao. He also threw in no less than twenty racist jibs, resulting in the public demanding an apology from Mayweather.
So he did. Mayweather produced a second video that featured his ‘apology,’ showcasing him stating that he really wasn’t racist and that he was, after all, just having fun. So, now, everything is right again for Mayweather. Forgiveness granted.
On the flip side, David Haye was criticized yesterday for a comment he made about his upcoming fight with European champion, Audley Harrison. Haye said he would “violate” Harrison and that the fight would be “as one-sided as a gang rape.” This promptly updated Mike Tyson’s comment back in the day that he was going to make Razor Ruddock “his girlfriend.”
Of course, Haye’s comments immediately put womens’ rights groups in a huff.
Vivienne Hayes, who manages the Women’s Resource Center, retorted, "I'm horrified that anybody could say something which trivialises such an extremely serious crime. We know only too well the effects of rape and gang rape on women and their families […] I really would like David Haye to find out some actual information about rape and then perhaps make a donation to one of the many struggling rape crisis centers in the UK." Now, David Haye donating to any center doesn’t look imminent. In proto-non-Mayweather fashion, he declined to apologize for his comments, saying instead there simply aren’t enough hours in the day to "apologize for all the stupid things I say.”
Now, how should we treat Haye’s refusal to, well, refuse?
On one hand, Mayweather’s apology makes him seem like a guy who is actually concerned with his public image. Then again, this is the same guy who posts pictures of himself counting stacks of cash on his Twitter page.
On the other hand, the public is furious with Haye. Consider that he knew he was going to get the public equivalent of a book thrown at him for his comments. He knew media outlets and UK tabloids would eat it up, and it would ultimately contribute to the industry. So in the far reaching race for money and camera time, can you blame him?
The other point is this-if Haye were a comedian, nobody would wiggle an eyebrow at what he said. But the fact is, people are going to think that he’s misogynistic whether he bows and gives them an apology or not. What’s the use of another one, then?
The bottom line is: Haye’s a boxer. And he knows how to sell a fight.
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