Haye opponent confirmed!

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 04 May 2004, 09:35

Secondsout have confirmed that David Haye's next contest will be against Former IBF Champion Arthur Williams in Reading next week.

This IS a geniune massive step up in class, although Williams is pushing forty in the last two years he gave new IBF champion, Kelvin Davis, a major scare losing a split decision. He was also leading on all three scored cards against argueably the best Cruiserweight, O'Neil Bell, before getting stopped in nine.

Since the bell fight he is 2-2, but his Chin seems okay and his Punch is still there.

If Williams is in shape, I fear for Haye.

This might be too good an opponent.

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 04 May 2004, 09:36

The guy is how old? Jesus!

REAL_DEAL · Post by **REAL_DEAL** » 04 May 2004, 09:38

for the lazy people out there

http://www.boxrec.com/boxer_display.php?boxer_id=002109

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 04 May 2004, 09:39

About a year older than Nelson!

Bennie, check out his record in recent years - got to say I am impressed with Haye's bottle here.

Remember Mock, if he can do that, then what is a big punching Cruiser like Williams going to do.

http://www.boxrec.com/boxer_display.php?boxer_id=002109

black panther · Post by **black panther** » 04 May 2004, 10:19

If haye wins this fight he definitely takes a lead over macaranelli in the rankings. Is the fight over eight,ten or twelve?

steve689 · Post by **steve689** » 04 May 2004, 10:36

Looks like a decent fighter, bit his age worries me. However he has been in with some good names, including one Chris Byrd back in 1995, he dropped a split decision! Haye needs to keep his chin tucked away and he should be okay with his Boxing. I predict a Haye win anyway.

deadpan · Post by **deadpan** » 04 May 2004, 10:47

Williams is a significantly better fighter than Audley has faced yet.

Haye is a class act. Articulate, humble and going about his business in the right way.

I hope he is the genuine article. I fear that the hands down fighters invariably end up getting starched. But his handspeed, power and array of shots is mightily impressive.

I would stil say he has a better chance of a genuine World title reign than Audley.

adamiw · Post by **adamiw** » 04 May 2004, 10:49

8)

knew you would be impressed.

There was another name, more well known who initially accepted, then found out more and decided to take on someone else, for less money.

Williams is 39, but he appears to be in good condition. It wasn't that long ago he was giving world rated O'Neil Bell alot of problems, and his last couple of defeats have gone the distance against unbeaten opponents. all his losses apart from his first, are to respectable opponents. Ideal fight for Haye, and shows his intentions.

REAL_DEAL · Post by **REAL_DEAL** » 04 May 2004, 10:50

williams is the american version of carl thompson but probably better

Kilburn · Post by **Kilburn** » 04 May 2004, 10:54

Blimey. If you'd asked me to predict Haye's next opponent this is the last guy I'd have come up with. For one the guy only fought last thursday and two he is certain to take Haye the full distance.

Dunno, somehow I'll be very surprised if we see Arthur Williams in the opposite corner next week.

adamiw · Post by **adamiw** » 04 May 2004, 10:55

Kilburn wrote:Dunno, somehow I'll be very surprised if we see Arthur Williams in the opposite corner next week.

why? you dont think Haye is serious?

Kilburn · Post by **Kilburn** » 04 May 2004, 11:01

It's not that I doubt Haye wants the fight I just don't see Arthur making the trip. I mean how much is he going to get for a fight like this? He's a name on the American circuit, no shortage of fights over there. Perhaps he just wants a holiday.

adamiw · Post by **adamiw** » 04 May 2004, 11:05

Kilburn wrote:It's not that I doubt Haye wants the fight I just don't see Arthur making the trip. I mean how much is he going to get for a fight like this? He's a name on the American circuit, no shortage of fights over there. Perhaps he just wants a holiday.

well the other opponent (for some reason David doesn't want me to name him, personally i think he should be shown up) was offered more to fight Haye than to fight someone who is an american 'name'. I should think Williams will be getting paid more than his last few fights. Besides, he was prepared to go to Russia in his last fight.

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 04 May 2004, 11:08

I'd still rather see Haye in with someone like Paul Bonson than a faded American like this. I'm serious. Still, if Williams stands up and gives Haye the full eight rounds, I'll be ecstatic. If Haye blows him out in a couple of rounds, I'll be bitterly disappointed.
Paul Bonson is guaranteed to take anyone the distance and comes a lot cheaper. Haye needs 'rounds' under his belt desperately.

lirva33 · Post by **lirva33** » 04 May 2004, 11:14

REAL_DEAL wrote:williams is the american version of carl thompson but probably better

You took the words out of my mouth.

This guy has a good chin, so we can guage Haye's power in this fight. I would like to see Haye get banged on the chin too. I think his chin is pretty poor.

I like Haye. I hope he wins. If he keeps on winning he'll eventually win me a lot of cash when he gets sparked by an underrated puncher with a chin.

Seriously though, I'm rooting 4 Haye here. Haye- Maccarinelli is a fight I really want to see.

Kilburn · Post by **Kilburn** » 04 May 2004, 11:16

adamiw wrote:
Kilburn wrote:It's not that I doubt Haye wants the fight I just don't see Arthur making the trip. I mean how much is he going to get for a fight like this? He's a name on the American circuit, no shortage of fights over there. Perhaps he just wants a holiday.
well the other opponent (for some reason David doesn't want me to name him, personally i think he should be shown up) was offered more to fight Haye than to fight someone who is an american 'name'. I should think Williams will be getting paid more than his last few fights. Besides, he was prepared to go to Russia in his last fight.

In Russia Williams would have been in the main event. Haye isn't even the chief support in Reading. I hope it happens but it just doesn't seem right to me that a former world champ would fly all the way over to Britain to fight for peanuts.

Could be he just said bugger it, I'm 39, my best days are beind me, time to see a bit of the world.

Bard of Boxrec · Post by **Bard of Boxrec** » 04 May 2004, 11:22

jesus christ. This is extremely unexpected- ARTHUR WILLIAMS =virtually title level in todays landscape, I saw king arthur against rydell booker on espn, ok he's not great at world level but he's a seasoned vet and has been round the block. i also seem to remember him whacking out some other guys at various points in his career.

i wouldn't have been surprised if any of the paper champs were to defend against king arthur.

This man is a live opponent who has not had the time to become a shot fossil who would fall over. He will bring the fight to Haye, and if Haye catches a shot on that suspect chin, he will be catching a shot from a guy who can punch at a much higher level than david has experienced.

david may not be able to get fights but this is ridiculous. If he fights like he did against Mock he will lose, plain and simple. this isn't the type of opponent you blunder into after a performance like that.

having said all this, I can't wait to see the fight. i also can't wait to see the odds for williams.

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 04 May 2004, 11:23

If this guy is a better version of Carl Thompson, then this is a good match. Anybody got any recent fights of his on tape?

REAL_DEAL · Post by **REAL_DEAL** » 04 May 2004, 11:27

i noticed williams fought last week

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 04 May 2004, 11:29

REAL_DEAL wrote:i noticed williams fought last week

Yeah. That's good news. He'll be nice and sharp.

MightyWarrior · Post by **MightyWarrior** » 04 May 2004, 11:30

This guy has been around so long he's beaten Dwight Braxton!!
Can't argue with this choice of opponent for a nine fight novice. Might even be a bit too ambitious: 27 of his 38 wins are by knockout, so you'd imagine he can hit some. Knocked down the very decent O'Neil Bell just over a year ago too.

Kilburn · Post by **Kilburn** » 04 May 2004, 11:37

If Williams can hang in there with Bell then he is definitely no pushover for Haye, no way. Bell has ZERO footwork but he's young, strong, powerful and throws plenty.

REAL_DEAL · Post by **REAL_DEAL** » 04 May 2004, 14:20

anyone think williams is better than swaby?

Lefthookhappy19 · Post by **Lefthookhappy19** » 04 May 2004, 14:40

A lot of balls from Haye, this guy has fought the best and was once world class. I think he's better than Swaby, King Arther has seen many guys like Haye before in his career. Haye should be applauded for this, he is easily better than anyone Maca has faced yet.

Dutch Windmill · Post by **Dutch Windmill** » 04 May 2004, 14:50

Well, seems like Williams wants a little cash late in his career.
I'm not sure he's still there to win.
This Tokarev is a powerful but crude and limited fighter. A prime version of Williams would've beaten him failry easy in my opinion.
Don't let the record fool you