World Boxing Association Champion David Haye Defends His Title
David Haye became WBA champion on 7 November 2009 after defeating then heavyweight champion Nikolai Valuev. Valuev was a giant known to many as “The Beast from the East”. The fight was dubbed “David vs. Goliath”. Now, less than one year later, David will defend his title for the second time, this time facing off with Audley Harrison. What can we expect from this title match?
David Haye is about as famous for his boxing as he is for his quick lip. When asked about the upcoming title fight, he is quoted as saying, “I don’t believe Audley deserves a chance but enough people want to see him finally destroyed, that is why this fight is happening...The fight will be a public execution,” before adding, “Everybody feels passionately that they want me to finally close the curtain on the joke that is the Audley Harrison show.”
Those strong words didn’t seem to bother the young Harrison, who responded with these words: “When I land my left hand on him, he is done.” Both fighters are going into this November 13 fight at Manchester’s MEN Arena with absolute confidence, but the experts, like middleweight champion Carl Froch, have their own opinions. What we know for certain is that no matter whose side you’re on, experts agree this will be the biggest Brit on Brit boxing clash since Lennox Lewis defeated Frank Bruno in the seventh round of their 1993 match in Cardiff.
And the attention this match will be getting may be nothing but good for the sport. The bets are already being placed, and everybody is betting on David Haye to back up his big mouth in November. Froch believes Audley is the underdog, he is quoted as saying: “(Audley) has blown hot and cold since turning professional. That’s in stark contrast to David who has unified the cruiserweight division and is now a belt holder at heavyweight. Audley’s a big fighter who can punch, but has often failed to pull the trigger”.
Others are sure to disagree. Haye and Harrison are old sparring partners; they’ve known each other for years, and they know each others’ styles and techniques. Even though on paper it seems as though David Haye has this one clinched already, it could be far too soon to tell.
The hype alone surrounding this match is enough for these two fighters to go blow for blow, but Haye is a man who always steps up to the challenge. In all his fights he plans on going one step further, of pushing harder. It often happens that one only performs best when challenged by someone who could destroy you at a moment’s inattention. What if Haye simply has too little fear of Harrison for him to perform like the great champion that we know he is?
With the entire world calling for Audley’s destruction it would be natural for an arrogant sportsman like Harrison to just assume his dominion. Boxing is a psychological sport. If David Haye doesn’t go into this thing with the right attitude, the once sky-bound Harrison could give David a run for his money, and the title. In fact, such an outcome might very well be in both their interests.
Harrison suffered an injury after his last European title match with Michael Sprott in April of last year. It wouldn’t be surprising if another injury at the end of this match saw Audley Harrison bow out of the sport altogether, only this time on a high note.
Audley, a man of fewer words than Haye did have a brilliant start to his career when in 1998 he became the Commonwealth Games champion, and he followed up that feat by becoming the first British fighter to win an Olympic gold medal in the super heavyweight division.
This 6ft 5in, 255lb, 38-year-old is not afraid of the major stage, but in the 10 years since his career-making high-profile Sydney victory he hasn’t made that much in terms of headway. Harrison is a good fighter, and he has shown through countless victories over his career that he can take on champions, just usually not when it matters most.
In 2005 he lost to the British Danny Williams in a close split-decision, as he was going for the Commonwealth Heavyweight Title for the second time. He then lost to Michael Sprott and Martin Rogan. But recent activity has shown that there might be some hope yet for his career when in 2009 he defeated Michael Sprott in a 12-round rematch fight against his former nemesis.
They say that boxing is the sweet science, when on 12 November David Haye faces off with his old friend, now turned competitor Audley Harrison, there will be nothing sweet about it. Egos will clash, blood will shed, and a nation will watch proudly as one of their own is crowned WBA heavyweight title champion.
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