By Rob Moore: The less likely the David Haye V Wladimir Klitschko bout becomes, the more I have come to terms with it and the less it bothers me. I do believe it had the potential to be the most competitive an explosive heavyweight title fight we have seen in a number of years. The Klitschko domination has been professional, efficient and effective. Much as I respect both brothers, I would be lying if I said I have found it exciting.
David Haye appeared a possible antidote to this invincible efficiency. Quite understandably, many fans have been unable to see past, or forgive, Haye’s verbal outbursts and publicity grabbing stunts. However, look beyond the public persona and there is a guy who has a combination of athleticism, speed and power that is simply not present elsewhere in the division., A Haye Klitschko fight would have been a blockbuster on so many levels.
The reason I am now comfortable that the will fight probably never happen, is that it now the rush of anticipation has passed, I see that it was never going to be more than a quick shot in the arm for the division. It might have lifted interest in the division to a temporary high, but like some sugar loaded energy drink, the effect would have been short lived.
The problem is that whoever was to win the fight nothing much fundamental would have changed, and the division needs fundamental change if it is to be truly re-energised .
If Haye was to have won the fight, we would have been presented with a fast heavy handed fighter who would have demonstrated the potential to take out pretty much anyone. A potential undisputed champion, who love him or hate him, the fans and media would want to see. A champion that other top fighters would perceive as vulnerable and would be desperate to fight. Well maybe, but a champion who would also retire just a few short months later leaving three of the belts vacant. The division would still not have a single active champion and there would still be multiple belts and minimal competition. The managers of the top twenty or so fighters would continue to try and simply keep their guys safe and healthy and negotiate a title shot. Undoubtedly David Haye could take enormous pride and huge acclaim were he to beat Wladimir, but retiring virtually immediately could surely not be be described as leaving a legacy. A Haye win would have served to boost his ego further, but done little for the heavyweight division as a whole.
If we consider a Wladimir win, then little changes. The only serious threat to the Klitschco brothers is removed, (unless Odlanier Solis works out how to come in at 250lbs or under). Wladimir continues to dominate the division in conjunction with Vitali. The most positive outcome could have been that Wladimir would then hold the IBF, WBO and IBA belts, and Vitali sees this as the right time for him to retire and let Wladimir grab the WBC belt to become undisputed champion. That should theoretically have generated real competition among the contenders for a title shot, but Wladimir has already dominated to a point where contenders seem unwilling to step up unless they get a huge pay-day.
The more I consider the situation, the more attractive the idea of having all three belt holders active over the next nine months becomes. Let Haye fight his mandatory Chagaev, and then hopefully another top ranked fighter. The Vitali V Solis fight could be competitive and well worth watching. Wladimir V Chisora I feel is going to be a whole let better than most non Brits believe, with Adamek as always, giving it his all in September. Everything considered a better year for heavyweight fans than we have seen for some considerable time. You never know, we may even get a few of the contenders to fight each other too.