David Haye turns 40

[jamesmcdonnell]

I was at the Mormeck fight too, I organised it as a part of a lads trip we went on. Scary looking crowd at that fight, I remember the taxi driver looking at us like we were mad when we asked him to take us to the Marcel Cerdan stadium, and we figured out why as soon as we arrived.

From personal experience, and from others who've had interactions with him outside the ring, I'd have to say Haye is an arrogant bellend.

However, he had some really great fighters at CW, and his destruction of Chisora looks better with every passing year.

We must have been what, two of maybe ten English people in the crow that night and that includes his wife and family? I was in that weird ringside bit which actually wasn't ringside at all but his wife was a row or two in front of us.

It was an odd night all-in really, stadium in the middle of nowhere, looked like a glorified lesuire centre. The crowd were mostly what I thought Algerian types? I thought it may kick off massively but to be fair, they were all sporting and took it well.

I tried to get a drink around there and failed miserably. We found some pub near the hotel which was clearly locals only but they were alright when we spoke French. They told us that no, they most definitely would not be open if we called in on the way back.

When we told them where we were going they were not impressed and said that no, they didn't have any recommendations where to go...

They had these ringside dollies that showed us to our seats but I'm quite capable of reading numbers thanks...they wanted paying too. I feigned ignorance/half didn't understand what she was asking me anyway. She stropped off in a massive huff.

I literally bumped into M'Baye in the bogs too, he had his handwraps on and went for a quick pre-fight lash. I decided it best not to shake hands with him.

There was a bloke a couple of rows in front, everyone seemed to know him. He was Jean Reno's clone, I still haven't worked out who he was. Also saw the little Iranian dude there, Monshipour and Boutier. The crowd treated them like royalty. That's one thing I found about French fans, they do actually seem to like their sportsmen in a way the UK don't always.

I can't remember the name of the hotel I was in but the entire PSG team were there that night. They were in the bar before we left, if I knew anything about football I'd have got some autographs. The barman was a dude too, was chatting to him after the fight as they had it on TV. He laughed and said Mormeck had a glass chin.

And yeah, that Chisora KO looks better year on year. I went to see that live at the cinema, not sure what the deal with that was, more money for Haye I guess?

We were up in the cheap seats and stood out like a lady boys cock. There were a lot of unsavoury looking characters, felt like every Algerian gangster and drug dealer in attendance.

There were lusty boos and cries of 'Putain' when Haye was announced and lots of them laughed and pointed at us when Haye was decked.

When Haye rallied and stopped him, I really thought we were in danger of getting filled in, but much to my surprise they all clapped him grudgingly, and we got some nods of appreciation from the crowd...they probably admired our balls our turning up!

[orbtastic]

I found their chants a bit limited. Pretty just much "aaaah" or "allez" which is basically "go on!"

And yeah, lots of leather jackets. Reminded me a bit of the Dutch film "Wolf" (I know they are Dutch/Turkish).

[jameswilson]

I remember the Morneck fight wasn’t shown live over here and someone on here while there fight was on a 10 minute or so delay was saying ‘my mates just said Hayes knocked him out in the *whatever round it was*’

I don’t remember if it was a tv delay or radio delay but we all went mad when it became clear it was true.


Haye is our best ever cruiserweight and I think would be high up in an all time Worldcruiserweight list.

People lay into his second heavyweight career which is fair enough but that was more a result of his popularity that had been built over time. His popularity sky rocketed very quickly he had hardly anyone watching him against the likes of Fragonenni but he very quickly became hugely marketable up to and last the Maccarinelli fight. He also seemed to do very smart business between himself and Adam Booth. I never saw anyone get in and out of fights with allegedly without Frank getting some kind of options etc. Also the rumours of demanding the money be in escrow before the fights etc.

I felt very lucky at the time to have him, Froch, Pickering and Harrison regularly on BBC. We got their early careers for free.

[Deserter]

In terms of meeting him, I've heard vastly differing stories - Some have said he was an arse, some have said he was a good laugh and obliging. I think he's human and it probably depends on his mood and what he's trying to achieve. I know someone pointed out that he knows how to work every camera going to quickly get selfies out of the way which is probably what suits him best - hi, shake hands, selfie, fck off. I've heard that he's made people do push-ups and all sorts of crap.

I've met him a few times and he was perfectly personable, but he's like any number of celebrities in that there's an expectation (understandably, you can argue) that the conversation centres around them. Very easy to see how that develops when you're going to have any number of fans/admirers wanting to hang off your every word. I don't think he's a bad guy at all, but it's very difficult for anyone with that kind of public presence not to end up being self-centred... in many respects Haye, like others, won't have known anything different from a very young age after all.
It's also why so many stars/personalities can struggle when the limelight shifts away from them...

[orbtastic]

He was literally in front of me, ringside, at the Magnificent 7 show. He was in a weird mood. He was totally giving off "don't talk to me vibes" the entire night and I decided to leave it (having already heard of him making odd requests before shaking hands/autographs/hi bordering on humiliation). A couple of people tried and got shot down and he was flanked by about six big lads. Groves was there with his gf and joined him later.

He spent at least half the night with his head down, looking at his blackberry. I get that he was a bit put off by the brutal Enzo KO (and we were in a perfect viewing position for it).

I saw him again at another show (can't remember which) and he was literally in front of me in the foyer, I was about to go and say hi etc and he was completely mobbed and he freaked out when people started shouting his name and shot off.

I have seen it said by him that anyone who went to the Mormeck show is welcome to introduce themselves (because there were so few of them) and maybe I will at the third chance

[jamesmcdonnell]

I remember the Morneck fight wasn’t shown live over here and someone on here while there fight was on a 10 minute or so delay was saying ‘my mates just said Hayes knocked him out in the *whatever round it was*’

I don’t remember if it was a tv delay or radio delay but we all went mad when it became clear it was true.


Haye is our best ever cruiserweight and I think would be high up in an all time Worldcruiserweight list.

People lay into his second heavyweight career which is fair enough but that was more a result of his popularity that had been built over time. His popularity sky rocketed very quickly he had hardly anyone watching him against the likes of Fragonenni but he very quickly became hugely marketable up to and last the Maccarinelli fight. He also seemed to do very smart business between himself and Adam Booth. I never saw anyone get in and out of fights with allegedly without Frank getting some kind of options etc. Also the rumours of demanding the money be in escrow before the fights etc.

I felt very lucky at the time to have him, Froch, Pickering and Harrison regularly on BBC. We got their early careers for free.

I think Haye knew he didn't have the chin to really compete on even terms with the big boys, and so his style required him to avoid getting tagged in order to preval.

[cormack]

turning 40 doesnt make him any less annoying !

over rated as a HW

successful at CW

Humiliated by Bellew

[Counter-puncher]

He was literally in front of me, ringside, at the Magnificent 7 show. He was in a weird mood. He was totally giving off "don't talk to me vibes" the entire night and I decided to leave it (having already heard of him making odd requests before shaking hands/autographs/hi bordering on humiliation). A couple of people tried and got shot down and he was flanked by about six big lads. Groves was there with his gf and joined him later.

He spent at least half the night with his head down, looking at his blackberry. I get that he was a bit put off by the brutal Enzo KO (and we were in a perfect viewing position for it).

I saw him again at another show (can't remember which) and he was literally in front of me in the foyer, I was about to go and say hi etc and he was completely mobbed and he freaked out when people started shouting his name and shot off.

I have seen it said by him that anyone who went to the Mormeck show is welcome to introduce themselves (because there were so few of them) and maybe I will at the third chance

i think i remember that... wasn't he with a bird who was a bit older than you'd expect, like not some dolly bird type but more 30s? and there was some hug 6'6/8 steroidal rugby player type? kinda squareheaded white dude? where am i getting this from?

Was that when we had Robin Reid on our row, manically chewing gum? that's my recollection anyway, although, well, you know....

[mickey1975]

I remember the Morneck fight wasn’t shown live over here and someone on here while there fight was on a 10 minute or so delay was saying ‘my mates just said Hayes knocked him out in the *whatever round it was*’

I don’t remember if it was a tv delay or radio delay but we all went mad when it became clear it was true.


Haye is our best ever cruiserweight and I think would be high up in an all time Worldcruiserweight list.

People lay into his second heavyweight career which is fair enough but that was more a result of his popularity that had been built over time. His popularity sky rocketed very quickly he had hardly anyone watching him against the likes of Fragonenni but he very quickly became hugely marketable up to and last the Maccarinelli fight. He also seemed to do very smart business between himself and Adam Booth. I never saw anyone get in and out of fights with allegedly without Frank getting some kind of options etc. Also the rumours of demanding the money be in escrow before the fights etc.

I felt very lucky at the time to have him, Froch, Pickering and Harrison regularly on BBC. We got their early careers for free.

It was live on Setanta, announces at the last minute, I think.

[Counter-puncher]

i listened on the radio, Costello going nuts, proper tension

[DrDuke]

Humiliated by Bellew

Humiliated more by himself, than by Bellend. It was an onviously bad idea to comeback from the retirement caused by multiple injuries.

[stujones]

Definately one of my favourites of recent times and for me a real shame his body did not hold up in the Bellew fights - he was looking okay (not great but okay) in the rematch until his injury struck again - Bellew did what he had to do in the rematch, but Sky should have acknowledged his injury more in the rematch.

Gosh I also feel old as I remember him being introduced as the young boxer getting his hands wrapped on the opening credits of Sky's ringside show - and then he lost his Sky debut (as a amateur) when he completely gassed against an average American fighter in one of those GB vs USA bills.

I think he is a great talker, I like him as an analyst / commentator and it is interesting some of the revelations we here about his career now he is retired. I never realised he went to Germany for Klitchscko vs Chisora to try and goad Vitali into a fight. That would have been something.

So many what could have been - Fury vs Haye 2013 would have been very interesting.

[mickey1975]

Definately one of my favourites of recent times and for me a real shame his body did not hold up in the Bellew fights - he was looking okay (not great but okay) in the rematch until his injury struck again - Bellew did what he had to do in the rematch, but Sky should have acknowledged his injury more in the rematch.

Gosh I also feel old as I remember him being introduced as the young boxer getting his hands wrapped on the opening credits of Sky's ringside show - and then he lost his Sky debut (as a amateur) when he completely gassed against an average American fighter in one of those GB vs USA bills.

I think he is a great talker, I like him as an analyst / commentator and it is interesting some of the revelations we here about his career now he is retired. I never realised he went to Germany for Klitchscko vs Chisora to try and goad Vitali into a fight. That would have been something.

So many what could have been - Fury vs Haye 2013 would have been very interesting.

I think Haye pulling out was the start of Fury’s issues. I also think Fury spooked him on Ringside and would have done a job on him.

[Controversial]

I know he's a bit like marmite to most people but he had a good career and is a good talker. I think he's the first to admit he cut corners early in his career and I've heard a few people say they never saw anyone so relaxed as Haye before a fight. It's a shame he was so injury prone as he could've achieved more, as it was he only had 32 pro fights which considering he was a pro for 16 years isn't a lot. At the time I thought he would've beaten Fury but now with hindsight I think Fury would have done him over.

[orbtastic]

He was literally in front of me, ringside, at the Magnificent 7 show. He was in a weird mood. He was totally giving off "don't talk to me vibes" the entire night and I decided to leave it (having already heard of him making odd requests before shaking hands/autographs/hi bordering on humiliation). A couple of people tried and got shot down and he was flanked by about six big lads. Groves was there with his gf and joined him later.

He spent at least half the night with his head down, looking at his blackberry. I get that he was a bit put off by the brutal Enzo KO (and we were in a perfect viewing position for it).

I saw him again at another show (can't remember which) and he was literally in front of me in the foyer, I was about to go and say hi etc and he was completely mobbed and he freaked out when people started shouting his name and shot off.

I have seen it said by him that anyone who went to the Mormeck show is welcome to introduce themselves (because there were so few of them) and maybe I will at the third chance

i think i remember that... wasn't he with a bird who was a bit older than you'd expect, like not some dolly bird type but more 30s? and there was some hug 6'6/8 steroidal rugby player type? kinda squareheaded white dude? where am i getting this from?

Was that when we had Robin Reid on our row, manically chewing gum? that's my recollection anyway, although, well, you know....

Exactly remembered.

She was very vocal and quite flirty. I mistakenly thought it was his wife but it wasn’t. I think it was actually a mate of them all and it was a night out for them.

Ha yeah. Reid. Nobody wanted to point out he was in our seats...

Also don’t forget the Czech dude, konechney?

Plus the bloke who got clattered up in the stands.

[Counter-puncher]

He was literally in front of me, ringside, at the Magnificent 7 show. He was in a weird mood. He was totally giving off "don't talk to me vibes" the entire night and I decided to leave it (having already heard of him making odd requests before shaking hands/autographs/hi bordering on humiliation). A couple of people tried and got shot down and he was flanked by about six big lads. Groves was there with his gf and joined him later.

He spent at least half the night with his head down, looking at his blackberry. I get that he was a bit put off by the brutal Enzo KO (and we were in a perfect viewing position for it).

I saw him again at another show (can't remember which) and he was literally in front of me in the foyer, I was about to go and say hi etc and he was completely mobbed and he freaked out when people started shouting his name and shot off.

I have seen it said by him that anyone who went to the Mormeck show is welcome to introduce themselves (because there were so few of them) and maybe I will at the third chance

i think i remember that... wasn't he with a bird who was a bit older than you'd expect, like not some dolly bird type but more 30s? and there was some hug 6'6/8 steroidal rugby player type? kinda squareheaded white dude? where am i getting this from?

Was that when we had Robin Reid on our row, manically chewing gum? that's my recollection anyway, although, well, you know....

Exactly remembered.

really? makes a change

Also don’t forget the Czech dude, konechney

yeah i bumped into him and enthusiastically mimed how much i liked his right hand to the body

[orbtastic]

Lol yeah.

[JimStone]

His silver in 2001 was a excellent achievement. Not to be overlooked.

I was away during his cruiserweight innings, think Thompson was the last fight I saw before Klitschko and I've not looked back.

[cormack]

Humiliated by Bellew

Humiliated more by himself, than by Bellend. It was an onviously bad idea to comeback from the retirement caused by multiple injuries.

You are probably right but non the less i was happy to see him on his arse dumbstruck when bellew hit him easily .

[Onamastus]

Vitali wanted to fight Haye till he saw him crush Chisora, who had just given him his stiffest challenge. Think he rode off into the sun instead.

[jamesmcdonnell]

Vitali wanted to fight Haye till he saw him crush Chisora, who had just given him his stiffest challenge. Think he rode off into the sun instead.

Vitali would have ruined Haye. Not a chance Haye could have won that.

[Onamastus]

Vitali wanted to fight Haye till he saw him crush Chisora, who had just given him his stiffest challenge. Think he rode off into the sun instead.

Vitali would have ruined Haye. Not a chance Haye could have won that.

Vit was 40 and Chisora gave him heck

[jamesmcdonnell]

Vitali wanted to fight Haye till he saw him crush Chisora, who had just given him his stiffest challenge. Think he rode off into the sun instead.

Vitali would have ruined Haye. Not a chance Haye could have won that.

Vit was 40 and Chisora gave him heck

Chisora and Haye are very different fighters.

Vitali looked pedestrian against Chisora, but he won pretty handily, Chisora didn't come remotely close to winning it.

Even a 40 year old Vitali, I would have banked on either outpointing Haye widley, or in the unlikely event Haye tried to engage, clubbing him into submission.

Despite the blowout by Haye, Chisora has generally been regarded as durable, and solid and tank like, Haye however, was brittle even at CW.

Styles make fights.

[DrDuke]

Haye vs Vitali probably would be similar to Haye vs Wlad. Without hurting Haye much Vitali would simply outwork him. Haye could land more telling blows, but Vitali's chin was freakish. While Haye's one wasn't. Haye definitely wouldn't benefit from the exchanges.

[deadpan]

Vitali wanted to fight Haye till he saw him crush Chisora, who had just given him his stiffest challenge. Think he rode off into the sun instead.

Vitali would have ruined Haye. Not a chance Haye could have won that.

Emphatically. I think Vitali has him here. Just a heavier than expected dig to David's arm that clearly unsettles Haye up. I bet Vitali was pretty damn intimidating close up.