Didn't Haye Just Do The Best He Could On The Night?

[mkirkhope]

He lost the fight, away in Germany against the recognised No 1, he took his shot at Wlad, lost and gave respect to the winner. That shows genuine class.

Disagree mate, he's shown very little class at all - or at least he didn't in the immediate aftermath. Not sure what he's been saying since; I simply can't bear to listen to him any more. A simple thing though - surely you realise the more he praises Wlad now, the more his dire effort seems justifiable?

[jamesmcdonnell]

A simple thing though - surely you realise the more he praises Wlad now, the more his dire effort seems justifiable?

There is some damage limitation going on, but the offering some respect is the least he could do, right?

He's left it a little late for me, and I think he's just been advised to do so, because his conduct prior and following the fight have been a PR disaster for him.

[NazNaci1]

You don't seem to mention how much he praises Wlad though, mate.

He is giving him the utmost credit, as a great fighter, a better fighter and Champion.....

What else can he say, though? He HAS to say Wlad is a great fighter because he got owned by him. You're not going to say: "Wlad's shit, I'm just shitter", are you?

What? Offering respect to the guy who beat you in a boxing match. That's not normal to you? That's what fighters do.

And @ KG, you mean 'I was drugged...'etc best not mention that as you will have the proverbial 'forum riot' on your hands

[NazNaci1]

What else can he say, though? He HAS to say Wlad is a great fighter because he got owned by him. You're not going to say: "Wlad's shit, I'm just shitter", are you?

What? Offering respect to the guy who beat you in a boxing match. That's not normal to you? That's what fighters do.

it's completely normal, you were the one making a big deal about it.

No, no mate. I was pointing out that amongst the (most of it deserved) stick, that there was some respect in there, damage limitation or not. That was all.

[Final round]

So lets keep things in a little perspective, the guy won a portion of the title in Germany, defended it a couple times, went to Germany to fight the No1, took his lumps, lost on points and then gave the utmost respect to Wlad, the Champ.

Ridicule him as much as you want but he did do all of the above and he deserves some credit for that.

The other perception is this: he very narrowly beat one of the worst heavyweight champs in history in an incredibly boring fight, defended it twice against hand picked opponents, talked himself into a massive fight and then didn't produce the goods after chatting sh*t for months.

Defend him as much as you want but he did do all of the above and he deserves some opprobrium for that.

If you thought his HW career was of such low merit why travel over to watch him. Surely on such poor previous form he had zero chance.

[keithmoonhangover]

Regarding Haye's post fight comments and behaviour and indeed everyone critisism of it.

Wasn't Haye just trying to justify the fact that he did not achieve what he set out to? We all do this sometimes. When something fails, don't we all just try and rationalize it. Like if a relationship breaks up or we don't achieve what we set out to at work. It happens all the time in every day life, so why should Haye be so different. He was interviewed after he failed to acheive what he has been working towardsfor most of his adult life?

I've done it myself, when I didn't reach my targets at work, I started by blaming other things, but when I really considered it, there was only one person to blame. I personally think that Haye blamed other things on the night and is not 'climbing down', but going through a natural human process.

[J]

He lost the fight, away in Germany against the recognised No 1, he took his shot at Wlad, lost and gave respect to the winner. That shows genuine class.

Disagree mate, he's shown very little class at all - or at least he didn't in the immediate aftermath. Not sure what he's been saying since; I simply can't bear to listen to him any more.

A simple thing though - surely you realise the more he praises Wlad now, the more his dire effort seems justifiable?

dunno why we are surprised though mate, been this way for some time can you remember the hoops we were jumping through to get an interview for the bbn pre the thompson fight...then he loses and its all do you want that interview.

ACTUALLY NO I DONT fornicate OFF DICKHEAD.

[Final round]

He lost the fight, away in Germany against the recognised No 1, he took his shot at Wlad, lost and gave respect to the winner. That shows genuine class.

Disagree mate, he's shown very little class at all - or at least he didn't in the immediate aftermath. Not sure what he's been saying since; I simply can't bear to listen to him any more.

A simple thing though - surely you realise the more he praises Wlad now, the more his dire effort seems justifiable?

dunno why we are surprised though mate, been this way for some time can you remember the hoops we were jumping through to get an interview for the bbn pre the thompson fight...then he loses and its all do you want that interview.

ACTUALLY NO I DONT eff OFF DICKHEAD.

Good to see Boxrec are maintaining a level of impartiality towards delivering 'boxing news' to the masses.

[Final round]

dunno why we are surprised though mate, been this way for some time can you remember the hoops we were jumping through to get an interview for the bbn pre the thompson fight...then he loses and its all do you want that interview.

ACTUALLY NO I DONT eff OFF DICKHEAD.

Good to see Boxrec are maintaining a level of impartiality towards delivering 'boxing news' to the masses.

J is referring to an incident that happened years ago at a website with no direct affiliation to boxrec. What's your point?

Well you obviously saw my point and that's why you stepped in to clarify. there's some bitter hatred being aimed at
Haye for his losing performance and it some of it seems to be coming from boxrec mods,writers, editors etc. Which I find strange because the situation, a fighter didn't back up his words and people lost cash is pretty much the story of every big fight.

[Giancarlo]

Right until the final bell, Haye was looking to find his way in to land a bomb.

The problem is he did a whole lot of looking and not a lot of punching

x 2

[Giancarlo]

Haye never risked winning, he decided to survive rather than try to win

Yep, agreed.

Young Keith, his #1 cheerleader in here seems to be going overboard to try to see positives in that "effort".

Haye ought to bung him a few bob out of appreciation for his blind support. Or maybe do a cameo in that short movie we heard about a while back.

[Giancarlo]

Christ...he made Wlad look silly by losing by between six and ten rounds, did he?

I do take your point that he did make him look silly at times by making him miss but if you then do absolutely f*ck all about it, what use is that?

I can only sum it up by saying this - he would rather have lost a lop-sided points decision than try and win it by taking a risk.

Yep, that's the crux of the matter.

No amount of 'spin' gets away from that.

[Giancarlo]

He lost the fight, away in Germany against the recognised No 1, he took his shot at Wlad, lost and gave respect to the winner. That shows genuine class.

Disagree mate, he's shown very little class at all - or at least he didn't in the immediate aftermath. Not sure what he's been saying since; I simply can't bear to listen to him any more.

A simple thing though - surely you realise the more he praises Wlad now, the more his dire effort seems justifiable?

Yes, there was zero respect in the great man's bleat after the fight.

Someone has been in his ear since but even now the respect is grudging ie "he was the better man on the night............... but only because I had a poorly toe, of course"

[keithmoonhangover]

Haye never risked winning, he decided to survive rather than try to win

Yep, agreed.

Young Keith, his #1 cheerleader in here seems to be going overboard to try to see positives in that "effort".

Haye ought to bung him a few bob out of appreciation for his blind support. Or maybe do a cameo in that short movie we heard about a while back.

you calle me YOUNG keith. I'M HAPPY WITH THAT MATE!

[Giancarlo]

Haye never risked winning, he decided to survive rather than try to win

Yep, agreed.

Young Keith, his #1 cheerleader in here seems to be going overboard to try to see positives in that "effort".

Haye ought to bung him a few bob out of appreciation for his blind support. Or maybe do a cameo in that short movie we heard about a while back.

you calle me YOUNG keith. I'M HAPPY WITH THAT MATE!

Does that get me a part as an extra in the movie though?

[dondada]

So lets keep things in a little perspective, the guy won a portion of the title in Germany, defended it a couple times, went to Germany to fight the No1, took his lumps, lost on points and then gave the utmost respect to Wlad, the Champ.

Ridicule him as much as you want but he did do all of the above and he deserves some credit for that.

The other perception is this: he very narrowly beat one of the worst heavyweight champs in history in an incredibly boring fight, defended it twice against hand picked opponents, talked himself into a massive fight and then didn't produce the goods after chatting sh*t for months.

Defend him as much as you want but he did do all of the above and he deserves some opprobrium for that.

If you thought his HW career was of such low merit why travel over to watch him. Surely on such poor previous form he had zero chance.

I was merely putting the other side of the argument.

I didn't think his 'HW career was of such low merit' before Saturday. I thought it was all the means to an end. The end being that he would try his best and give it all he had when he got his big chance.

I was wrong.

[dondada]

Good to see Boxrec are maintaining a level of impartiality towards delivering 'boxing news' to the masses.

Listen, you're going way below the belt here.

I go way back following Haye, have known his press lad for years, and was the first writer to do a decent bit on Adam Booth both on the web and in print.

I believe we were the only boxing website accredited for the Ruiz and Harrison fights.

It would be the easiest thing in the world for me to shut my cakehole and maintain cordial relationships.

My impartiality and refusal to be biased prevents me from doing that.

You're f*cking way out of order.

[Grilling Machine]

Left eye swollen shut by the larger Thompson, I remember Eubank's final in-ring 'interview': "A badge of honour."

[Autobarn]

He lost the fight, away in Germany against the recognised No 1, he took his shot at Wlad, lost and gave respect to the winner. That shows genuine class.

Disagree mate, he's shown very little class at all - or at least he didn't in the immediate aftermath. Not sure what he's been saying since; I simply can't bear to listen to him any more.

A simple thing though - surely you realise the more he praises Wlad now, the more his dire effort seems justifiable?

the 1 thing he definitely has not shown is class.

EVERYONE is talking about this fight. and laughing at haye's fighting style.

some will be using the old cliche "BLACK EYE FOR BOXING" and haye and his smarmy best mate have given plenty of ammunition.

[jamesmcdonnell]

Good to see Boxrec are maintaining a level of impartiality towards delivering 'boxing news' to the masses.

Listen, you're going way below the belt here.

I go way back following Haye, have known his press lad for years, and was the first writer to do a decent bit on Adam Booth both on the web and in print.

I believe we were the only boxing website accredited for the Ruiz and Harrison fights.

It would be the easiest thing in the world for me to shut my cakehole and maintain cordial relationships.

My impartiality and refusal to be biased prevents me from doing that.

You're f*cking way out of order.

Fair play to you Ian, it's the cosying up to boxers which prevents many professional journalists from telling the truth, for fear of offending them. The truth will out, I read you're reports, and they are a lot more gracious than mine were for 8count boxing.

[jamesmcdonnell]

What is your evidence for suggesting that Haye is happy to lose just because he got paid loads of dosh?

The abject manner of his loss coupled with his suggestion that Wlad should give him a rematch because it's the way of earning the most money?

Good article, Jimbo. If I'm allowed to pinch it for BoxRec News, let me know, as it'll save me time in doing my own.

Thanks mate - I'd be happy to - not sure 8count would be too happy with me.

[dbf]

Good to see Boxrec are maintaining a level of impartiality towards delivering 'boxing news' to the masses.

Listen, you're going way below the belt here.

I go way back following Haye, have known his press lad for years, and was the first writer to do a decent bit on Adam Booth both on the web and in print.

I believe we were the only boxing website accredited for the Ruiz and Harrison fights.

It would be the easiest thing in the world for me to shut my cakehole and maintain cordial relationships.

My impartiality and refusal to be biased prevents me from doing that.

You're f*cking way out of order.

Fair play to you Ian, it's the cosying up to boxers which prevents many professional journalists from telling the truth, for fear of offending them. The truth will out, I read you're reports, and they are a lot more gracious than mine were for 8count boxing.

I think your reporting has been spot on Ian. And James is right, writers who are 'in' with boxers sometimes fail to give an honest account, whether for emotional or fear reasons.

[J]

Good to see Boxrec are maintaining a level of impartiality towards delivering 'boxing news' to the masses.

J is referring to an incident that happened years ago at a website with no direct affiliation to boxrec. What's your point?

Well you obviously saw my point and that's why you stepped in to clarify. there's some bitter hatred being aimed at
Haye for his losing performance and it some of it seems to be coming from boxrec mods,writers, editors etc. Which I find strange because the situation, a fighter didn't back up his words and people lost cash is pretty much the story of every big fight.

bbn days read....... muppet vs THOMPSON.

and actually they messed me around for 3 weeks fone calls, emails etc in fact so much so a member of team replied to me on email instead of a colleague commenting on us being messed around so much and not understand the reluctance to given an interview. So go figure.

point being Ive spent a lot of money following david haye personally and going back to the thompson fight several trips to the york hall and in this instance a lot of time trying to cajole an interview where their attitude was such that they were dismissive prior to the fight and contrite and willing after...


sound familar i.e its what he is doing now? that was the point, so get your facts straight before passing judgement and also be careful who you are accusing otherwise you might look very stupid....like you just have.

[exittored]

Good to see Boxrec are maintaining a level of impartiality towards delivering 'boxing news' to the masses.

J is referring to an incident that happened years ago at a website with no direct affiliation to boxrec. What's your point?

Well you obviously saw my point and that's why you stepped in to clarify. there's some bitter hatred being aimed at
Haye for his losing performance and it some of it seems to be coming from boxrec mods,writers, editors etc. Which I find strange because the situation, a fighter didn't back up his words and people lost cash is pretty much the story of every big fight.

Great post Final Round.

I find the attitude of some of the boxing writers here startling as though they're a newly born fawn all bright eyed and looking at the boxing world with innocence.

so Ian McNeilly stated on another thread that 'he'll never believe another word Haye say's again'...do you honestly take everything that a boxer says pre-fight as truth and nothing but especially someone like Haye who is a total hype/Bullshit machine.

Do you honestly think his performances at Heavyweight against Monte Barett, Nicolay Valuev, John Ruiz and Audley Harrison would give any knowledgable boxing person the impression he was going to beat Waldmir Klitschko or that it wouldn't be a massive upset if he did? Most of the boxing writers polled before hand were picking Wladimir to win by knockout by around a margin of 80% to 20%, these same boxing writers who know have the nerve to stick the knife into David and condemn him for his performance.

Being 4 inches shorter and outweighed by over 30 lbs I was honestly worried David would be bowled over inside a few rounds Vitali Klitschko-Herbie Hide style and came away impressed by his performance of not only winning 3/4 rounds in my book but also hurting Wladimir a few times especially the 12th and even taking some of Klitschko's best shots and coming straight back at him.

Like 100's of other British boxing writers you just trashed Haye for being dissapointing etc etc...none of these writers had the imagination or balls to give Haye the feintest of praise for his performance or try to defend or educate him against the public's condemnation or ignorance of his boxing achievements.

Do you think winning the Heavyweight championship of the world is such an easy task for a British Boxer. Lets take Lennox Lewis our of the picture seeing as he learn't to fight in Canada and then predominently America so is hardly a product of the British Boxing system. If Haye had won he would have been the first Ring World Heavyweight Champion/unified belt holder this country would have 'produced' since Bob Fitzsimmons in 1897.

Yes Haye made a dick of himself in the post fight interview but he's not the first sportsman to do that and won't be the last, he's the one who has to pick himself up now and we'll see if he comes back fighting or decides to say 'fornicate it' and walk away for good but if he does do that i for one will say a big thankyou to him for the great fights he's given me over the years.

[Grilling Machine]

When I mentioned Eubank earlier I didn't mean to imply that I think David's a chicken; chickens run away. Avoiding punishment's only sensible. It serves no purpose to take a hiding for the hell of it. Fortune favours the bold, but still, it's not for many of us to criticise. I agree with exittored as far as that goes.

Some people enjoy the physical crunch of fist against face - the brutality of the sport. MMA caters well if that's your bag. I actually don't enjoy watching a dude's neck snapping from the force of a punch. But growing up with boxing in the '90s - a comparative golden age, the character shown by a fighter's response to adversity fascinated me. Eubank was rarely as entertaining as Hamed in his later years, but he was almost unequalled in terms of vicarious attraction.

This is why boxing appeals to me and MMA doesn't. Endings in the latter tend to occur with cold efficiency. The struggles are mainly physical, without the rules to reveal courage in the realm of fear. It was Haye who once compared amateur boxing to fencing. That he indulged in such an approach is no crime. That he continued to sell himself as a no-fear power merchant was, I feel, a mistake.