by James Slater – If Audley Harrison manages to defeat tough Polish fighter Albert Sosnowski in April and win the European heavyweight title, there could well be a challenge of WBA heavyweight ruler David Haye on the cards for him next – at least this is what the southpaw known as “A-Force” and his promoter believe.
If both men win in April (Haye faces John Ruiz, of course) 38-year-old Harrison will attempt to get “The Hayemaker” into the ring in what would be Haye’s second title defence.. In no way is the fight even a strong possibility at this stage, let alone a done deal, but Harrison has called out Haye in the past and he is doing so again. And, as crazy as it may sound to some, if (and it’s a pretty big if) Audley can grab the European belt from Sosnowski, his credentials as a “world” title challenger would go up somewhat, possibly even making a fight with Haye a legitimate match-up.
In an interview with The Guardian newspaper’s web site, Harrison promoter Eddie Hearn spoke about the possibility of a Harrison-Haye fight in August.
“It would sell out Wembley Stadium, I have no doubt about that,” Hearn said of the prospective Haye-Harrison clash. “Audley is desperate for a shot at a world title and we have no qualms about facing David Haye. I met David at an event on Tuesday and told him that we’re coming to get him. His eyes lit up. He told me to come talk to him and Adam Booth after our respective fights.
“If everything goes to plan, the fight could happen this year, maybe August-September time.”
So, as much of a long shot this match-up may well still be at this point (after all, not only could Harrison lose to the strong-willed Pole, but Haye could conceivably be dethroned by the durable Ruiz) how would the fans take to the fight if it were made? Although Hearn may be correct when he says the fight would attract a big crowd in the U.K, worldwide fans would probably be less than thrilled with the fight.
What we’d all like to see, in a nutshell, is Haye, if he’s victorious in April, take on one, or ideally both, of the two Klitschko brothers next. Should Haye opt to tackle Harrison instead, the critics who say he is dodging the two “Doctors” would have a field day. And even if Harrison did boost his ranking and his reputation with a win over Sosnowski, would he really qualify for a WBA title fight in the eyes of the masses? Haye may well chose to partake in a voluntary defence after he’s taken care of mandatory challenger Ruiz (if he can take care of him, of course) and maybe the idea of an all-British showdown would appeal to him.
And stranger things have happened, haven’t they? And what a huge turnaround Harrison’s career will have taken if Audley does land the fight he craves! From being a fighter many said was finished, to being a challenger for a legit and recognisable belt; how would that be for a comeback! And as to how Harrison would shake things up of he were to beat Haye! Well, let’s not get carried away.
Haye Vs. Harrison in front of a sell out crowd at Wembley in late summer? It might just happen!