By James Slater: Will he or won’t he? Does anybody really care too much any longer? The two above questions are related to former cruiserweight king and former WBA heavyweight ruler David Haye. As fans may know, “The Hayemaker” made a promise to himself that he would walk away from boxing at the age of 30; after having boxed for two full decades (amateur and pro obviously). But this promise needed a re-think after Haye, confident, no, SURE, he would beat Wladimir Klitschko “for all the marbles” instead lost and lost badly.
The retirement date of October 13th (this Thursday) may still be one Haye goes through with, but there is still hope in the Haye camp that a fight with World Boxing Council (WBC) champ Vitali Klitschko will be offered their way before the Londoner’s deadline arrives. But in speaking with The Mirror, Haye’s manager/trainer Adam Booth said there has been no offer of any kind from Vitali’s people.
“It’s one thing him [Vitali] saying he wants to fight David and another them actually offering something,” Booth stated. “Thursday is when David will make his decision. That’s his birthday and he said he would retire when he was 30.”
It seems as though Haye, if he was hoping to pressure Vitali into extending a deal for a fight by using the Oct. 13th date as a kind of threat, has failed in his quest. Vitali did say a while back that he would like to fight Haye so he could knock him out, but since then there has been nothing but silence where Haye is concerned. Is Vitali simply making Haye sweat, and will the amazing 40-year-old offer Haye a chance this week? Or has that boat sailed?
Haye, despite not having earned a shot at Vitali (just like Jean Marc Mormeck has not earned a shot at younger brother Wladimir’s belts) remains one of the most talked about heavies on the scene. Who else can “Dr. Iron Fist” fight if not Haye?
For what it’s worth, I think Vitali is waiting to see whether or not Haye goes through with his retirement promise; whether he holds an official press conference to make his announcement. Then, in a bid to force Haye to his go back on his announcement, Vitali will offer him a fight on the 14th of October! I can see it happening. And if this is the case, will Haye then turn around and take the fight or will he stick to his “I’m outta here” guns?
Again, many fans may have lost interest in Haye, but I think it will be intriguing to see what happens this Thursday and Friday!