David Haye should fight a top HW next, not old Briggs

[TheGman]

If briggs hits haye on the chin haye is gonna b "STATIC"

[Benelio]

Well, at least Briggs is a step up from his last two opponents. I think if Haye had fought Briggs as his first comeback fight instead of drawing out three 'Haye Days' to get to this point, then we'd have a bit more respect for him.

Is the consensus now that out of all the heavyweight comebacks of former World Champions in over a hundred years that Haye's comeback opponents are the worst in history?

[Stuarty]

It's smart promoting by Haye. The shitt munchers will lap it up! Haye didn't look as sharp or as fast on Saturday but he's powerful and smart enough to put a beating on Shannon. I just hope it's a decent ref they have on the night and also hope Briggs gets paid well.

[Lenny Cravats]

Haye's in it for the money, not the glory. He's taking a WWE style circus approach and earning a ton of cash. For many of us fans, it feels like he's disrespecting the sport. We're all guilty of showing a certain smug contempt towards the zcelebs and casuals that are mistaking this for genuine boxing, but ultimately, it may bring some more fans in along the way - who, once they start to take an interest will probably be dissuaded by the eternal frustration that the best boxers rarely fight each other.

[ILikeBeer]

There's nothing wrong with Gjergjaj or Briggs as opponents for Haye.

He is not a world champion and he is not currently a world level contender either. There is no reason why he has to fight top level opponents.

He has just come back from a few years out of the ring and these opponents are better than the low level journeymen that he could reasonably be fighting.

I don't get the criticism.

It's more the presentation than the quality of the opposition, in my opinion.

Haye is making a lot of money knocking these guys out, he's main eventing, he's on a Freeview channel who are milking it like he's fighting somebody good, there's a lot of celebrities there which is supposed to impress us.

People would be less annoyed if Haye was fighting this type of opponents on undercards, getting his confidence back, seeing what he has left, assessing if there's anywhere for him to go in the division proper.

Sadly, that's not how boxing works. It should be, but it isn't. There's money to be made out of the Haye name. If Haye can make fat dollar main eventing against somebody my local bin man could probably beat, then he's not going to dwindle on undercards seeing what he has left.

Can't really blame Haye for taking the money, of course. It's the system that allows this buffoonery masquerading as real contest, is what we should be moaning about.

[Terminator666]

This comedy fight will somehow end up being box office I suspect

[funso banjo baby]

if anyone connected with Haye had any real integrity or respect for fans and the sport they would go for a perfectly decent low risk matchup like Pulev for the European title.

In what way is that low risk?

Why on earth would Haye want to take that fight?

Horrific suggestion.

strange notion of what constitutes a horrific match?

[Horse]

strange notion of what constitutes a horrific match?

The suggestion was horrific, not the match.

You would be an abysmal promoter.

[Horse]

People would be less annoyed if Haye was fighting this type of opponents on undercards, getting his confidence back, seeing what he has left, assessing if there's anywhere for him to go in the division proper.

Sadly, that's not how boxing works. It should be, but it isn't. There's money to be made out of the Haye name. If Haye can make fat dollar main eventing against somebody my local bin man could probably beat, then he's not going to dwindle on undercards seeing what he has left.

That's not how I'd want boxing to work.

Can't really blame Haye for taking the money, of course. It's the system that allows this buffoonery masquerading as real contest, is what we should be moaning about.

No, we shouldn't be moaning about it.

He's not taking television dates from better fighters in better fights. He's doing his own thing on Dave and adding a few extra boxing shows a year that people can choose to watch or not.

[Syntax Error]

David Haye isn't getting any younger, he should fight one of the top contenders before he begins to fade, rather than wasting time with old Shannon Briggs.

Haye has looked good since coming back, he's ready for a real fight.

No the 'public' have demanded that he fights Briggs.

As we all know, it's quite ironic that the 'public' always want to see Haye fight huge piles of sh!t like the useless Audley Harrison or the beyond ancient Shannon Briggs!

Very curious indeed.

[THEBUTCH]

I have to say I was dead set against Haye fighting Briggs, but Shannon did look like he's knocked himself into decent shape and looked quite fast and sharp. I thought he looked more impressive than Haye. I know both of their opponents couldn't cope with anywhere near the sort of power Briggs and Haye carry, but their own fight could be entertaining.

Ideally they could have done with more rounds and another fight each before September but it might just be an entertaining fight. If it's on Dave it's free to watch, plus they screened other fights this time.

[Syntax Error]

I have to say I was dead set against Haye fighting Briggs, but Shannon did look like he's knocked himself into decent shape and looked quite fast and sharp. I thought he looked more impressive than Haye. I know both of their opponents couldn't cope with anywhere near the sort of power Briggs and Haye carry, but their own fight could be entertaining.

Ideally they could have done with more rounds and another fight each before September but it might just be an entertaining fight. If it's on Dave it's free to watch, plus they screened other fights this time.

Put like this, you make a fair point.

I don't really care who David Haye fights ultimately, but I would like it if he stopped pretending that he is doing this for the public.

We all know he just wants to knock over a few daffodils & make as much noise as possible & try to blag a title shot that way, whilst avoiding any semblance of a challenge.

He just needs to be honest about what he is up to.

[jamesmcdonnell]

Who are best three opponents Briggs has defeated since Ibragimov schooled him in 2007?

Since that time he's beaten nothing but dross, and the one time he stepped up he was so far out of his depth that he was beaten into intensive care. He's been matched with guys that even Arnie Gjerjag would beat for a reason, and is no more credible than him IMO.

Briggs is far more credible than Gjergjaj, because he has actually done something at some point and Gjergjaj has never done anything.

Haye is not currently a world level contender and has only recently returned to boxing, so I don't see what is wrong with him fighting fairly low level opposition.

Well said Horse.

Fairly low? That's a frigging understatement.

[Lenny]

People are enjoying their days out to watch Haye knock out someone in a couple of rounds. It might be the only fight they ever go to.

He can milk this for a fair while yet, build up people like Briggs and knock them out. Don't forget he only fought Harrison because it's what the public wanted. He's playing a smart business game at the moment and when the time comes he'll fight Joshua, earn a ridiculous amount and retire. Plenty of fighters have made a career out of this but at least Haye has some pretty decent fights in his past to fall back on.

[Horse]

People are enjoying their days out to watch Haye knock out someone in a couple of rounds. It might be the only fight they ever go to.

He can milk this for a fair while yet, build up people like Briggs and knock them out. Don't forget he only fought Harrison because it's what the public wanted. He's playing a smart business game at the moment and when the time comes he'll fight Joshua, earn a ridiculous amount and retire. Plenty of fighters have made a career out of this but at least Haye has some pretty decent fights in his past to fall back on.

He won't retire if he beats Joshua, surely?

[crusader]

To me Briggs's achievments mean little considering how long ago they occured. Using your reasoning we could say that pretty much any contender from the 60s or 70s would be more credible than Gjerjag if they came back, simply becaue they accomplished more than him. Haye would be fighting the 2016, 44 year old, post-intensive care stay version of Briggs, hence things the latter did years ago are largely irrelevant in terms of his credibility.

Briggs was well out of his depth the last two times he fought anyone in the top ten, and since 2007 the opposition he's beaten is even worse than Gjerjag's, with Arnie's win over Bakhtov being more 'impressive' anything Briggs had done. I think on recent form, which is the most relevant form, Gjerjag is at least as credible, but he was a pretty bad opponent in the first place, so even if Briggs were more deserving it hardly means he's a respectable opponent; there can be crap and even worse crap.

There's nothing wrong with Gjergjaj or Briggs as opponents for Haye.

He is not a world champion and he is not currently a world level contender either. There is no reason why he has to fight top level opponents.

He has just come back from a few years out of the ring and these opponents are better than the low level journeymen that he could reasonably be fighting.

I don't get the criticism.

De Mori, Gjerjag, and Briggs are total dross. Haye may have been out for a few years, but he's still far above their levels and that should be obvious if you've actually seen them fight recently. De Mori needed to feast on horrific clubfighters to get all his wins, while Arnie went life and death with Adnan Redzovic and had to drag himself up off the canvas to edge limited journeyman Dennis Bakhtov in what was laughably his best win by miles. I think it's a problem with boxing fans' mentalities when they think such poor mismatches are acceptable simply because one of the fighters spent a while out of the ring; Haye could've won these fights without training and it's hard to see how they helped him shake off ring rust given that his opponents were essentially punching bags who folded almost immediately. Now I get that these types of fights can be lucrative for Haye, but I imagine that he could make good money fighting a trashman dragged up from the streets, and if you defend this on grounds of being good business you should defend practices like vulnerable paper champions fighting crappy opponents in order to reduce risk while milking their 'champion' label.

As for Briggs, it's a shame to see how some knowledgeable boxing fans are now falling for his act and starting to believe that he's an okay opponent. Even about a decade ago he couldn't win more than a couple rounds against Sultan Ibgragimov, and we're nowing going on 6 years since he was beaten into the hospital by Vitali, with Briggs already being well past his best back then. There is a reason he's only beaten dreadful opposition since 2007, and I think it's very clear that his side is well aware that if he stepped up and faced someone decent he'd look like mediocre fighter he currently is, hence why he tries to land big fights with his mouth rather than by defeating even remotely credible opponents (like Dimitrenko would've been).

I'll ask again, who are the best three opponents Briggs has defeated since 2007? And why has he exclusively been fighting absolutely horrific opposition since Vitali put the terribly outclassed asthmatic in intensive care?

[Horse]

De Mori, Gjerjag, and Briggs are total dross. Haye may have been out for a few years, but he's still far above their levels and that should be obvious if you've actually seen them fight recently. De Mori needed to feast on horrific clubfighters to get all his wins, while Arnie went life and death with Adnan Redzokovi and had to drag himself up off the canvas to edge limited journeyman Dennis Bakhtov in what was laughably his best win by miles. I think it's a problem with boxing fans' mentality when they think such poor mismatches are acceptable simply because one of the fighters spent a while out of the ring; Haye could've won these fights without training and it's hard to see how they helped him shake off ring rust given that his opponents were essentially punching bags who folded almost immediately.

They are perfectly acceptable fights, because Haye can fight anyone he wants. He is not a world champion and there is no reason that his level of opposition should be high.

He could fight an incredibly low level journeymen instead if he wanted. Which is the sort of thing that plenty of former world champions do after losing a title and no one really seems to get their knickers in a twist about it.

Now I get that these types of fights can be lucrative for Haye, but I imagine that he could make good money fighting a trashman dragged up from the streets, and if you defend this on grounds of being good business you should defend practices like paper champions fighting poor opponents in order to reduce risk while milking their 'champion' label.

No, because those champions are hogging belts and should be fighting halfway decent opposition if they want to be respected as world champions.

As for Briggs, it's a shame to see how some knowledgeable boxing fans are now falling for his act and starting to believe that he's an okay opponent. Even about a decade ago he couldn't win more than a couple rounds against Sultan Ibgragimov, and we're nowing going on 6 years since he was beaten into the hospital by Vitali, with Briggs already being well past his best back then. There is a reason he's only beaten dreadful opposition since 2007, and I think it's very clear that his side is well aware that if he stepped up and faced someone decent he'd look like mediocre fighter he currently is, hence why he tries to land big fights with his mouth rather than by defeating credible opponents.

Briggs is very much an acceptable opponent, because Haye can fight anyone he bloody well wants to.

Briggs is a name, he's a character and he can help sell the fight. Has anyone said that he's still world class or anything like that?

Why are you getting so upset about it?

I'll ask again, how are the best three opponents Briggs has defeated since 2007? And why has he exclusively been fighting absolutely horrific opposition since Vitali put him in intensive care?

I don't give a rat's ass.

[crusader]

Did I say that Haye can't fight anyone he wants? He could fight a nobody like BoxRec #201 Facundo Nahuel Simal, but that wouldn't mean that his choice is beyond criticism.

He was an elite, top 3 fighter just a few years ago and it was obvious ahead of time that he'd blow out shitty opponents like de Mori and Gjerjag, just like it's obvious that he'll pound the 44 year old who hasn't defeated a live opponent in nearly a decade and got sent to intensive care the last time he tried. Boxing fans have turned soft when it comes to accepting dreadful mismatches like that simply because one fighter spent a few years out of the ring, and Haye could've probably easily won those matches if he blew up to 250 and hadn't trained in a year. It would've been one thing if he had limited the dreck to De Mori, but it looks like he'll be going on 3 softies in a row and as someone who wants to see good fights I'm not for that.

No, because those champions are hogging belts and should be fighting halfway decent opposition if they want to be respected as world champions.

What if they don't want to be respected as world champions by hardcore fans and simply want to minimize risk/maximize earnings by exploiting the ignorance of casuals who can't tell one 'world' title from the next? Clearly good business if the fighter is limited and wouldn't cut it against tougher opposition.

[Horse]

Did I say that Haye can't fight anyone he wants? He could fight a nobody like BoxRec #201 Facundo Nahuel Simal, but that wouldn't mean that his choice is beyond criticism.

He was an elite, top 3 fighter just a few years ago

5 years ago.

and it was obvious ahead of time that he'd blow out shitty opponents like de Mori and Gjerjag, just like it's obvious that he'll pound the 44 year old who hasn't defeated a live opponent in nearly a decade and got sent to intensive care the last time he tried.

Stop going on about intensive care. It's a minor point and Haye isn't as good as Vitali.

Boxing fans have turned soft when it comes to accepting dreadful mismatches like that simply because one fighter spent a few years out of the ring, and Haye could've probably easily won those matches if he blew up to 250 and hadn't trained in a year. It would've been one thing if he had limited the dreck to De Mori, but it looks like he'll be going on 3 softies in a row and as someone who wants to see good fights I'm not for that.

Don't watch it then.

He's not ready for a world class opponent. He should fight often and step up slowly, which is what he's doing.

He had one fight in 4.5 years before his comeback. He does need to comeback slowly.

No, because those champions are hogging belts and should be fighting halfway decent opposition if they want to be respected as world champions.

What if they don't want to be respected as world champions by hardcore fans and simply want to minimize risk/maximize earnings by exploiting the ignorance of casuals who can't tell one 'world' title from the next? Clearly good business if the fighter is limited and wouldn't cut it against tougher opposition.

As long as no one tries to say that they are a top class fighter then I don't really care that much about that either.

I wouldn't care if Anthony Joshua kept fighting the same level of substandard opposition for years, as long as his fans didn't keep banging on about how utterly fantastic he is and how he can beat everyone in the division with ease.

People aren't really saying Haye is that great. He may well be washed up. He might get battered if he fights a top 10 opponent.

[kaiserbill]

David Haye isn't getting any younger, he should fight one of the top contenders before he begins to fade, rather than wasting time with old Shannon Briggs.

Haye has looked good since coming back, he's ready for a real fight.

David Haye has never fought a "top contender" as a heavyweight, before marketing his way into title shots.
Why would he start now?

His fights against Valuev and Wlad had far more to do with marketing rather than the quality of opponents he fought leading into them.
His record as a heavyweight is there for all to peruse at their leisure.
With this in mind, it isn't surprising he is already talking about fighting for the title after fighting two complete and utter bums that were carefully selected.

The whole thing is a bad joke.

[Autobarn]

This comedy fight will somehow end up being box office I suspect

yes, it'll likely be horrible but get a lot of attention and bring boxing into disrepute.

It could also vault Haye into a world title fight, but it's a shame he's not putting himself in the best position to compete given he's not getting rounds, building stamina, or getting any competitive action. When he gets his big chance it could all go horribly wrong.

[knockout]

Whilst the past two opponents have been poor , Haye is trying something different! Putting on a show with a bit of other entertainment to attract new fans and I think most of them went home happy on Saturday night

Boxing has been about " he who sells the most tickets gets the easiest ride" for as long as I remember. Haye is doing nothing new, he is looking for the easiest way to secure a title fight, like most people in his position would do!

Also he wants to keep active and most of the top fighters are busy until late autumn

Fury/Klit busy
Joshua busy
Povetkin/Wilder who knows what's going on
Parker too green
Lucas Browne suspended
Andy Ruiz too green

The ranked opponents who are possibly free are Luiz Ortiz and Kubrat Pulev!

They are all angling for title fights themselves so unless they had to fight Haye (eg an eliminator) I don't think they would!

Pulev in a EBU fight would be a good fight and I wouldn't go anywhere near Ortiz given his failed drug test!

[bbjc]

I dont get the david haye hate. This is a guy that barring the klitchko and valuev fight has always been in exciting fights.

We know the circumstances sky sports etc dont want him atm. Doesnt have the money to attract big name fighters .Been out for 3 or 4 years coming back and fighting on the dave channel. What is there not to like. No matter what he does he cant win really. If he went in with joshua etc he d just be after a payday. Hes basically been forced into the slow route...got to be better than just retiring when hes plenty still to offer.

Its time to forgive him for the klitchko defeat. Not the only one thats been beaten soundly by him.

[Controversial]

Haye isn't doing anything most HW's do. Mike Tyson fought Peter McNeeley and Buster Mathis Jr after his 4 year hiatus and then got a title shot. George Foreman fought 24 times in his comeback, none of his opponents stood a real chance of winning yet the fans loved him. AJ hasn't beaten anyone decent yet and is a world champ. Prior to Klitschko Fury didn't beat anyone decent either. Wilder hasn't fought anyone decent, so who are all these great fighters Haye should be fighting? Check the top 10, all the names are shite. Haye's aim is to get a title shot in the quickest time possible. Good luck to him is all I can say.

Moving onto Briggs in a way the Briggs fans remind me of the old washed up Tyson fans. I don't doubt Tyson could've feasted on the Zarate's of this world and looked spectacular, the problem was when he fought anyone fairly decent he was beat. The same will happen to Briggs. Don't believe the hype or big talk, the guy is washed up and will get hurt against Haye.

[Freedom2013]

David Haye may pay the price for taking the boxing public for granted