By James Slater: With WBA heavyweight champ David Haye currently in trouble again due to his fondness for coming out with what he freely admits can be “Un-P.C” statements and jokes (see his Twitter joke regarding a “coma” and how the BBB of C are not amused), the 30-year-old has defended his trash-talking.
Correctly stating that his sharp tongue has made him an extremely well known athlete, even if a large number of fans dislike him, Haye told The People how his trash-talking has made people sit up and take notice, and that millions of fans will be tuning into his upcoming fight with Wladimir Klitschko to see him get beaten.
Haye is not concerned with how many fans like him and how many do not: he is concerned with the Pay-Per-View numbers his July 2nd fight will get. And Haye is convinced his unification rumble with “Dr Steel Hammer” will do massive business.
“The Pay-Per-View numbers will speak for themselves, but I believe this fight will outdo Tyson-Lewis,” he said. “That fight happened a few years after people wanted it to happen. But in this fight you have two champions who are both in their prime and holding titles.
“People might think [my trash-talking] is disrespectful and distasteful, but it has got me into the position I am today. If people don’t like what I say, tune in and watch me get beat up. As long as you feel passionately about me one way or the other, it doesn’t matter.”
And say what you want about him, Haye has certainly made people pay attention. Many fans, on this web site alone, have expressed strong opinions on the Londoner. Some admire his nerve, while others make no secret of the fact that they want to see him get silenced via a violent KO. And these people, the fans who have been wound up by Haye in the manner “The Hayemaker” was trying to get under Klitschko’s skin (and may well have done so), are firmly on Wladimir’s side.
If Haye can pull off a win next Saturday, he will no doubt pick up more fans; fans willing to forget about his sometimes crass behaviour. If he loses, though, it’s possible there will be millions of fans worldwide celebrating and gloating over Haye’s demise – especially if he is smashed to the canvas by the 35-year-old Klitschko.
Either way, however, as Haye says: no-one will miss this fight. Haye will pick up an absolute bundle of cash win or lose. It could be painful work, but Haye will be set for life. And, as he freely admits, a large part of him being in the position he is in now is due to his ability to use words that can raise a smile or inspire a snarl.
No wonder many fighters the world over love to use trash-talk: as Haye has proven, it opens many doors!