by James Slater – Shortly after he’d relieved Russian Giant Nikolai Valuev of his WBA heavyweight title, new ruler David Haye spoke about how he would entertain the idea of a second fight with the 7’2″ colossus. Putting the nice things Haye had to say about Valuev down to the respect fighters tend to show one another after having been in a fight, I never actually thought we would ever see a Haye-Valuev II. And let’s be honest, who would want to see a rematch? The November 7th clash, though no complete bore, was hardly a classic..
But, according to a news article that has appeared in today’s issue of The Star, a second fight between the two heavyweights could very well take place.
According to the piece, Haye himself, along with Golden Boy Promotions and Sauerland Event, will work together for Haye’s next three fights, and one of these fights could be a rematch with Valuev.
First, of course, Haye must face his WBA mandatory challenger John Ruiz, and then, should he get past that fight – a fight nobody wants to see – “The Hayemaker” could wind up meeting the 36-year-old giant for a second time. At least that’s what Sauerland’s Chris Meyer is quoted as wanting in the Star article.
“As the split decision indicates (actually a majority decision), it was a very close fight,” Meyer said of Haye-Valuev I. “The contracts do guarantee Niko a rematch and we are sure the outcome will be different when the two meet again.”
As annoying as this will certainly be to all those fans who are hoping to see Haye square off with one or both of the Klitschko brothers, the news piece also mentions Bernard Hopkins’ name. There is a vague possibility that the soon-to-be 45-year-old could be in the frame to meet Haye some time next year.
Wouldn’t it be a shame if Haye’s reign was filled up with defences against fighters no-one wanted to see him defend against? Ruiz, Valuev II and then Hopkins! What a waste of a fighter many are calling the most exciting fighter in his weight class.
Of course, there is always plenty of talk that surrounds a new star when he has risen to world championship status, most of it rubbish. But if Valuev is entitled to a return with Haye as per his contract, then of course he’s going to push for it. And Valuev has indicated how he plans to fight on.
Fight one between the 29-year-old and the Russian behemoth did well at the box-office, too. But would the same fans that were pulled in and attracted by the whole “David and Goliath” thing, fall for it a second time?