Video [iFL TV]
IS THIS THE LAST TIME WE WILL SEE DAVID HAYE'S 'AINT NO STOPPING US NOW' RING-WALK?
David Haye was stopped by Tony Bellew in the 5th round of their rematch at the O2 Arena last night, after being down on the canvas 3 times. Before the first fight, few people would ever have predicted this result for the cocky South Londoner, and that Haye's career would end in ruins after losing twice to the previously unheralded Bellew of Liverpool. But the warning signs have all been there for a while now with David Haye. Since at least 2016, Haye has been vainly trying to recapture past glories after his body could no longer write the cheques. Long periods of inactivity during his career have aged him prematurely. Haye looked awful in there. He is unfortunately now a shell of the fighter he once was and really needs to retire..
David Haye [13/10/1980] (28-4-0) 26 KOs
About 10 years ago David Haye was the most exciting heavyweight on the planet. He had talent to burn, the complete package, with speed, power and athleticism all in abundance. Haye had already unified the cruiserweight division in 2008, and still goes down as the best fighter Britain has ever produced at 200 lb.
Haye then lifted the WBA title at heavyweight in 2009 against the 7ft Nikolai Valuev, who was also an incredible 7 stones heavier on the scales. But the explosiveness of David Haye and perfect execution of his coach Adam Booth's game plan meant that the giant Russian barely landed a meaningful blow on Haye over 12 rounds.
Looking back, that was the very peak of David Haye's career. If he had simply retired after defending that WBA belt against John Ruiz in 2010, then he would now be a legendary figure in British boxing.
Haye easily had the charisma and popular appeal to be a top media personality in the UK. It's not too hard to imagine him as a commentator on Sky Sports, or even as their flag-ship presenter, the boxing equivalent of Gary Lineker.
But instead Haye would continue in the ring. For his biggest ever fight and a life changing pay-day against unified Heavyweight champion Vladimir Klitschko.
This is where things started to go wrong for David Haye.. After all his many achievements, along with the celebrity status he had always craved. Haye really started to believe a lot of the hype about himself..
Haye aggressively pursued the Klitschko fight, making outrageous claims and marketing himself as a truly dangerous individual who would be looking to put serious hurt on Wladimir Klitschko in the ring.
The Ukrainian heavy-weight ruler and his handlers seemed slightly bemused by David Haye at first, not knowing whether to take him seriously. But this initial bemusement quickly soured into irritation. Haye continued to hound them with various media stunts and crude trash talk about Klitschko and his family. This was seen as beyond the pale by the long time champion, who always prided himself as the model professional, with his well managed (if rather boring) public image in the Roger Federer mould.
David Haye on the other hand, was turning up to press conferences wearing a T-shirt with the Klitschko Brother's severed heads on display..
This 'shock jock' approach to make the fight from Haye was actually quite clever on his part. He was managing himself by this point and had a lot to gain from the deal financially. But it was also where Haye arguably crossed the line from simply selling a fight, to conning the public to enrich himself.
It would become a pattern with Haye from then on..
When it did happen, the Klitschko fight was a massive anti-climax. After all David Haye's talk, he played it safe for 12 rounds rarely trying to engage with his opponent at all, resulting in a wide decision loss. Klitschko easily controlled the range of the fight with his powerful jab on top of all the obvious height, weight and reach advantages.
But if David Haye had taken the fight to Wladimir Klitschko, even if meant retirement after getting knocked out, it would probably have been a lot better for Haye's legacy.
What made it even worse is that Haye, with shades of Baghdad Bob, tried to hide behind the lame excuse that the reason he had looked so terrible in the fight was because he had broken his little toe. This was ridiculed on all sides, and lost Haye a lot of fans, which was something he never recovered from.
This was pretty much the end of David Haye's career as a legitimate fighter, after that he became a cheap parody of himself. His last meaningful fight for the next 5 years being a KO win in a grudge match against Derek Chisora in 2012.
After yet another nice payday, Haye should then have been set for life. By some estimates he had made around £20 million for his efforts, which put him light years ahead financially compared to most British fighters of his era.
But David Haye always did enjoy the high living, and after a few years, his spending habits and rumours of failed business investments meant he was back in need of money.
Haye also changed trainers a lot during this period, which is always a bad sign from a fighter. There were rumours his long time mentor Adam Booth begged Haye to retire after the Derek Chisora fight, and they never worked together again after that.
Booth must have already seen the tell-tale signs that age and injuries, along with a lack of dedication by Haye to training meant that he was now a fighter in decline.
He was right of course. But instead of listening to this good advice, David Haye surrounded himself with yes-men looking for the next easy pay-day.
But his body couldn't handle it any more. Haye pulled out of fights with Tyson Fury among others time and again. It became a running joke and really damaged Haye's reputation.
In the twilight of his career, rather then keep busy fighting inferior competition (for decent money), hoping to secure his retirement pay-off against Anthony Joshua. Haye made the fateful decision to fight Tony Bellew after his promoter Eddie Hearn got him on the hook with a tempting enough financial offer.
Bellew's story is now a real 'Rocky' tale. He is someone who has long lived in David Haye's shadow. But Tony has now earned real respect. If not from Haye, then surely that of boxing fans everywhere, and that's what is truly priceless.
Which is something that David Haye never did understand, and now he will never get it back..
Haye was a terrific fighter in his day who accomplished a lot in boxing, but nobody defeats father time. It's now time for Haye to hang up the gloves. If he continues in boxing, he will risk serious injury to himself.
Really hope Haye retires after this, he was saying after the fight that he will review the footage before deciding, but have to give him credit, he was very humble and gracious in defeat, think he learned from the backlash after the Klitschko fight.
Hope that if Bellew decides to fight on, that he moves back down to cruiserweight, as that is where he can be a real force, although he could challenge for a heavyweight title and finish his career with a big payday, don't think any fans would begrudge him that.
Totally agree with you, Haye could have been a massive boxing media personally if he had retired at the right time, but it seems to be a reoccurring theme for old boxers, they find it hard to give up the ghost and always end up chasing glory thats long gone. Hope for his sake that history regards him with more kindness than the present, as even though he made some terrible choices, the things he achieved are still worthy of admiration.
Wonder if you could answer a question for me, been looking everywhere can't seem to find an answer. I noticed that Luke Campbell was only fighting a six rounder last night, i was wondering if you knew why? I have never seen a fighter come of a world title shot, and drop to a six rounder. Was he coming off an injury or something?
I think Haye knew in his heart of hearts he would lose this fight, thats why he showed more class in the build up and after.
He knows his own body better than anyone. He was hobbling around like a scarecrow in there after the first 2 rounds and obviously can't get leverage to throw bombs any more from his legs. His shoulder has been reconstructed as well! Then a ruptured achilles just 14 months ago for a fighter well on the wrong side of 30.. I think he just wanted to get to the ring for one last 7 figure pay-day.
The only way he could continue now is by putting on more freak shows for Dave TV like his comeback in 2016 when he lined up those bums Mark De Mori and the other guy. But would anyone really be interested now? It depends how much he needs the money I suppose.
We could have another Roy Jones Jr on our hands lol..
I'm not sure about Luke Campbell, he had a tough loss against Linares but looked in great shape still against Troy James even if it was only a keep-busy fight. It might have been an injury, he doesn't seem like the kind of fighter who blows up in weight after a loss then needs a tune up. But he is 30 now so needs to be fighting at a high level every time out.
Maybe it was just bad scheduling? He could have been hoping for a Linares rematch and now the Lomachenko fight is next he's been caught out with no clear route back.
Campbell really is a classy boxer though so I will be surprised if he doesn't get another opportunity. He's actually from my neck of the woods!
I always forget how old campbell is until someone points it out. He turned pro a little later and he looks a lot younger than he actually is. He should definitely get another shot, put up a great showing against a great fighter, in linares.
We could have another Roy Jones Jr on our hands lol..
Very good, this made me laugh.
Ohh man. I thought the post was about the other David Hay 😅
He's one of the good guys. I would hate to see something going wrong with him!
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