Haye to take on Harrison for ‘other’ heavyweight title

By JE Grant

Saturday David Haye, considered by the WBA to be the world heavyweight champion, faces fellow Brit Audley Harrison in defense of his title in the M.E.N. arena in Manchester, England.

Let’s be clear, this is a mildly interesting bout between two men who in decades past would not be vying for a championship, at least not against each other.

Haye was a highly successful cruiserweight that mouthed his way to a so-called world title match against giant Nikolai Valuev and proceeded to run past his ponderous opponent, stopping only to flick enough punches to win a decision. (The fact that the belt was inexplicably stripped from Ruslan Chagaev, who himself had defeated Valuev to win it, only to be regifted back to Valuev is an article for another day – but suffice to say here that Valuev had a dubious claim to his belt).

Instead of trying to solidify his position, as Mike Tyson would say it, as the “Baddest Fighter on the Planet,” Haye chose the safest path the WBA would allow. He followed his win over Valuev with a blasting of way over-the-hill John Ruiz. Haye is now 3-0 as a heavyweight.

Proposed bouts with Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko never materialized as the boxing world now realizes because Haye wants no part of the brothers.

For his part, Harrison, the 2000 Super-Heavyweight Gold Medalist in the Sydney Olympics, was the one-time heir apparent to the great Lennox Lewis. Possessed with tremendous size, mobility, and power, he was a sure thing.

His career path was, to say the least, unusual. After turning pro at 29, he fought relatively infrequently for someone needing to make the most of his prime years. Puzzling losses to Danny Williams, a big, rugged, but limited heavyweight; Dominick Guinn, a talented fighter with his own set of peaks and valleys; a brutal knockout loss to Michael Sprott; and club-fighter-level Martin Rogan seemingly ended any hopes of real contention.

So what qualifies him for a title now? A rematch win over Sprott, in a bout he saved with a final round knockout after falling way behind, and three bouts against novices in the British ‘Prizefighter’ contest --- certainly not the credentials of a world-beater.

What we’re left with is a bout with one skilled, though largely untested heavyweight titlist in David Haye, against a once-golden prospect in Audley Harrison who fizzled every time he came close to moving up the ladder of heavyweight success.

Despite what would appear to be an easy payday for Haye against a “name” opponent, Harrison, because of his size and power has a chance of walking out of the ring with a new belt. His left-handed stance will prove awkward for Haye to handle. If his right handed jab is flowing, Haye’s chin make get a real test in the heavyweight division from an opponent who can end a fight with a single shot --- ask Michael Sprott about that.

Unfortunately for Harrison, those distinct advantages will likely not be enough on Saturday. Haye is clearly faster and enters the ring with confidence and power of his own. Harrison has routinely faltered as he approached stardom and his own chin has let him down -- again ask Michael Sprott about that.

Haye will get to Harrison early and often, and we will see if, when the heat is on, Harrison can for the first time in his career rise to the occasion. Don’t count on it.

PREDICTION: Haye by knockout in 5.