By James Slater: Doubtless fight fans will either take a “who cares” attitude or a “I’ll believe it when they’re in the ring” tone, but for days now news articles have been popping up suggesting David Haye and Vitali Klitschko are “in talks” for a possible fight next March.
Klitschko manager Bernd Boente started the speculation ball rolling by telling a U.K tabloid that former WBA heavyweight champ Haye is “one option for Vitali’s next fight.”
Today, Gareth. A Davies of The Telegraph quoted a “Haye camp insider” who revealed that the 31-year-old was “back in training last week, starting to get into shape.” The insider also said that “talks have been going on behind the scenes and this [fight] could be his [Haye’s] swansong.”
The Telegraph article wrote that The ESPIRIT Arena in Dusseldorf has been “earmarked as a possible venue,” with the first Saturday in March being discussed as well as early April also being mentioned.
So, as much as many fans may have the urge to say, “oh no, not another David Haye article,” it seems “The Hayemaker” could fight again – in so doing ending one of the shortest retirements in recent boxing history. But will the fans get excited even if a Vitali-Haye fight actually comes to fruition?
Richard Schaefer and Oscar De La Hoya of Golden Boy are quoted in The Telegraph as saying they believe Haye would have a better chance with Vitali’s style compared to that of his younger brother Wladimir. But in light of the dud of a fight Haye put on when challenging “Dr. Steel Hammer” back in July, the sceptics will not be inclined to agree too fast.
Would Haye, even with all ten toes in fine working shape, opt to try and hit and run once again? Or would the fast, power-punching Londoner decide to let it all hang out in what would certainly be his final fight? It may be a sign of how lacking in name contenders today’s heavyweight division is that Haye is being considered by WBC king Vitali, but with no-one else capable of earning Klitschko a massive payday by attracting a big live and Pay-Per-View audience, Haye may find himself picking up one last big payday of his own before his pro career finally comes to an end.
A Vitali-Haye fight wouldn’t be as big a box office hit as Wladimir-Haye was, but the fight would still be a significant money spinner.