By James Slater: As fans know, former WBA heavyweight champ David Haye has been extremely quiet ever since his humbling, heavy points defeat at the hands of Wladimir Klitschko. Barely a peep has been heard from “The Hayemaker” since the July 2nd fight, yet he has at last broken his silence. Haye, never one to have a softly-softly approach, hasn’t lost the ability to talk trash as a result of his second pro loss.
Speaking with German paper BILD, Haye said he will delay his planned October 13th retirement for six months – if he is given either a return with Wladimir, or a shot at WBC king Vitali. Haye, once again showing he has not been blessed with a quiet or retiring nature, went as far as to “dare” Vitali to give him a chance. Haye also referred to tonight’s WBC title challenger Tomasz Adamek as a “Polish plum.”
“If I am given a rematch against Wladimir – which I do not believe I will – or Vitali will fight me, I will postpone my retirement for six months,” Haye said. “I’ve considered everything after talking to my family and meeting with Lennox Lewis in Jamaica. Lewis gave me some tips on how to beat Vitali, just like he did in 2003. I will keep my fingers crossed Klitschko wins [against Adamek]. I want him to clean up this Polish plum Adamek and retain his title, so that he will fight me.
“Vitali should give me the chance, if he dares. He is supposed to have a dangerous punch, which I doubt.”
In all honesty, though these quotes are said to have come directly from Haye in speaking with BILD (I read them on Yahoo! Sports.com), I have trouble believing Haye actually said as many brash, disrespectful things as the quotes make out – either that or Haye drank too much rum whilst in Jamaica! “If Vitali “dare” give him a fight?! Who is Haye kidding? And besides offending every Polish boxing fan with his “Polish plum” reference, Haye will have done himself no favours with regards to the German fans.
Vitali himself has said a few times that he wants very much to “put Haye in the dust,” so it seems Haye has a great chance of getting a shot at the WBC crown if “Dr. Iron Fist” wins tonight. Vitali wants to punish Haye for the bad things he said in the run-up to the fight with Wladimir – he will surely only want to punish the Londoner even more after reading these statements by the former cruiserweight king!
Haye also spoke about his loss to Wladimir, stating that “Dr. Steel Hammer” had most things on his side during the big fight.
“Wladimir couldn’t put me down and he had the referee, judges and fans on his side,” Haye said. “I had no real chance.”
Is Haye daring to suggest the judges went against him in an unfair manner? If he is, he is badly mistaken. No way was Wladimir the recipient of anything but a fair and well deserved points victory. And as for Haye saying he had “no real chance” – that’s what happens when you do not throw anywhere near enough punches.
Does Haye deserve a shot at Vitali, as he says he does? In real terms, there is probably nobody who would generate as much cash or interest when it comes to facing Vitali, and for this reason Haye may get another big pay day. It seems also, that Haye is using his old trash-talk and insults game to ensure Vitali agrees to fight him.
“Vitali is 40 and will stop at some point,” he said. “For his finale, there is no opponent better than me. And I would send him into retirement, but without his belt.”
There is no doubt, the loser of a Vitali-Haye fight would have to look at retirement. But has Haye said anything much else fans will be able to agree with?