Haye Batters Helpless Harrison
David Haye successfully defended his WBA heavyweight title, after a comfortable 3rd round defeat of Audley Harrison in Manchester. After two mundane opening rounds Haye came alive in the third, battering a helpless Harrison who managed to land only a solitary punch throughout the fight.
Defeat leaves Harrison to muse over his future in the sport – whilst Haye must now pursue a career defining series of fights against the Ukraninan Klitschko brothers, Wladimir and Vitali.
Marketed as ‘The best of enemies’, the fight was seen as the biggest all-british heavyweight clash since Lennox Lewis defeated Frank Bruno in the ‘Battle of Britain’ in 1993.
Lewis had been present at the weigh-in at Salford’s Lowry Centre, where Harrison tipped the scales at just over 18 stones – a staggering 3 stones heavier than his opponent, who at just over 15 was lighter than his previous title defence against John Ruiz in April.
It was this vast weight advantage which fuelled any hope of a Harrison victory and a major upset, but ultimately, Haye’s superior speed and power put pay to Harrison’s hopes.
As he entered the ring, the southpaw was greeted by a chorus of boos – the 20,000 sell out crowd confirming popular opinion that Harrison’s title shot was completely undeserved.
The boos continued after a tentative opening round. Haye prowled around the ring, probing but failing to test Harrison, who was reluctant to drop his gloves - constantly on the back foot. The second continued in a similar vein, and again boos rang around the MEN arena, with neither fighter willing to engage.
The third however saw the fight – and more pertinently Haye – spring into life. A Barrage of blows rocked Harrison, and he hit the canvas halfway through the round. He managed to stumble back to his feet on the count of 8 but Haye was ruthless and clinical, and after a huge right the referee stepped in to end the mismatch.
Haye was quick to console his opponent, who surely now faces retirement after yet another woeful performance, in a professional career which has simply failed to kick on from gold medal victory as an amateur in the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
Haye’s stock, however, has never been higher. He has the potential and the opportunity to unify the world heavyweight championship for the first time since Lewis – British boxing’s last great heavyweight- did the same 11 years ago.
Only the Klitschkos stand between David Haye and the chance to collect the WBL, WBO and IBF titles. Haye has stated he will do ‘everything in his power’ for a fight, a sentiment echoed by Vitali who is ready to fight Haye ‘in the US, Germany or Great Britain’.
It is a fight both camps – and heavyweight boxing in general – are desperate for. Haye has declared his intent to retire before his 31st birthday next October. He has the chance to be one of British boxing’s greats – but only 11 months to do it.
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