Finally the worst kept secret in boxing has been let out of the bag and David Haye will make the second defence of his WBA world heavyweight title against Audley Harrison at the MEN Arena in Manchester on Saturday the 13th of November.
The trash talking has already started with Haye saying he doesn’t think Harrison deserves a shot at this honour but believes people want to see the out spoken fighter shut up once and for all and it will be his pleasure to do so. Harrison on the other hand has said all along that it is his destiny to win the world heavyweight title and he won’t pass up what is sure to be his only opportunity to fulfil that dream.
Such a match isn’t likely to get die hard fight fans on the edge of their seats in anticipation but these two know the sport inside out and I see a few tactical press conferences and appearances on television to drum up publicity. I can imagine the head barging now. There are several ways to look at this fight though. The first thing that springs to mind is why have they gone for a northern destination? It’s not every day two big punching Londoners fight for the world title and surely a meeting in their home city would make sense? I am also wondering just how much this fight could take on the pay-per-view platform.
Surely any European champion deserves a shot at the world title and, like it or not, Audley Harrison won the European crown in his last outing so I don’t see him deserving it or not being an issue. He will enter the ring bigger and stronger than Haye on the night, boasts a long jab and, despite doing his best to hide it all these years, has dynamite power in his left hand. If David Haye takes his eye off the ball for a second he will be knocked clean out by Audley, that is just a fact of heavyweight boxing. Also I think Harrison has been given this shot by process of elimination. There is not an abundance of skilled heavyweights out there at the moment and in A Force we have someone who will sell tickets, will be fit and will turn up to win. How many other top weight fighters have we seen recently climb into the ring knowing they don’t stand a chance of taking the title. Audley’s head may be in the clouds but he believes in what he says and in his ability.
This fight should never have gone ahead in my eyes and David Haye has shown a lack of ambition by taking it on. The fact that everyone seems to dislike Harrison is not a reason to fight him. Many dislike the challenger because they believe he doesn’t have the skill to mix it at the top table and should keep quiet until he has proven otherwise, so why should he be given a platform to rant. Put it this way, if David Haye wins then he gains nothing, he was expected to win, if he loses he will be the laughing stock of world boxing, but if he goes in there and destroys Harrison, and Harrison gets seriously hurt, it could be the last nail in the boxing coffin. If we allow a man to fight for a world title who isn’t good enough to do so, just because he has a sharp tongue, he could fall heavily and take us all with him.
There was another light on his feet fighter who got a chance to fight for the greatest prize in sport just because people wanted to see his mouth shut however and he went on to change the game forever, but we can’t make such a comparison.
The long road to Manchester has only just begun but already bookmakers have sprung into action and punters haven’t wasted much time in getting involved either. I’ve already taken calls from friends asking if the man formerly known as ‘Fraudley’ has any chance whatsoever. I have said above that Haye could get knocked out if he stands still but he is an intelligent fighter and I don’t see him allowing Audley to hit him. There is a bit of needle between the pair but I see David staying on his toes during the opening exchanges, wearing Harrison down before putting him to bed in the middle rounds.
Whatever your opinion, it promises to be an interesting few months as the heavyweight circus rolls into town.
Tips
Haye by KO/TKO
Betting Odds
Haye - 1/7 (bet365)
Harrison - 11/2 (Coral)
Haye by KO - 4/9 (bet365)
Haye on pts - 4/1 (bet365)
Harrison by KO - 7/1 (888sport)
Harrison on pts - 16/1 (Ladbrokes)
