by James Slater – Will he or won’t he? Fans of the heavyweight division, and of WBA champ David Haye in particular, are asking themselves this question in regards to whether or not Haye will face fellow Brit Audley Harrison in his next fight; tentatively pencilled in as it is for November 13th.
All week we’ve read how talks for the all-London showdown are “going well,” and yesterday Harrison went further, urging Haye to “man up” and take the fight. Insisting he will win the fight and become “The Hayebreaker” in doing so, the 2000 Olympic gold medal winner has agreed to the fight, yet still awaits Haye’s signature on the contract. And, going solely by what he had to say via his Twitter page only a few hours ago, Haye may not be about to put his name down on said document.
“Shut the fcuk up, Fraudley,” Haye said in a mocking tone. “If somehow we ever do fight, that career-high payday you crave won’t cover your medical bills. Pipe down..”
It doesn’t look all that promising for “A-Force,” does it? Could Haye have been merely yanking Harrison’s chain all along, allowing his former friend to yap and yap about a fight that will, in actuality, never happen? Maybe. Then again, if Haye isn’t going to face Harrison, why doesn’t he just come out and say so? Why all the secrecy?
In the past, “The Hayemaker” has said he has no desire to fight Harrison, as the bout would be an easy, somewhat embarrassing win for him. “I’d mince him and everyone knows it,” Haye said. But easy money – or what is perceived as easy money – is a hard thing to turn down. And, say what you want, a Haye-Harrison fight would do good business here in the UK, with the talked-of venue, Manchester’s M.E.N Arena, having a great shot at selling out on the night. Also, Haye doesn’t entirely dismiss Harrison; instead saying “if somehow we ever do fight.”
Whether he will actually fight the once promising southpaw in his next fight or not, you can bet Haye knows already. But until the official announcement that precedes what will be Haye’s first fight since the win over John Ruiz in April Harrison, like the rest of us, will have to play the waiting game.
Perhaps Haye will surprise us all and announce how he is actually going to be facing a genuine and worthy contender before the year is out. Harrison, despite the heart he showed against Michael Sprott a few months back, is not that.