12 Round Q And A With David Haye. April 11th 2007
John Tandy talks to former undefeated European cruiserweight champion David Haye,18-1-(17), about his step up to heavyweight and his fellow cruiserweight world title contenders.
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1) Your stepping up to Heavyweight for your next fight and as usual you are not making it easy for yourself taking on Thomasz Bonin, regarding the weight issues are you going to be able to boil back to Cruiserweight for a title shot, or if you win well would you be tempted to stay at Heavyweight ?
DH: I’ve had to take off over 2 stone for everyone of my last 5 fights, and the only difference in this heavyweight fight is, I’ll only be taking off 1 stone, I’ve not bulked up in any way, I’ve just trained normally and eaten sensible. Getting down to cruiser is always hard, but if it can be done for a Euro title defence, it can be done for WBC/WBA World title fight!
2) Do you have any concerns about the effect your punches will have on the bigger guys, you have incredible power at Cruiserweight is it going to make any difference stepping up ?
DH:I’ve never been in the ring with anyone in my whole life that hasn’t been hurt at some point in the fight or even sparring. I punch vary hard even by heavyweight standards.
3) If you do go back to Cruiserweight who do prefer to fight Enzo Maccarinelli or Jean Marc Mormeck ?
DH: Jean Marc Mormeck is the undisputed champ, and is regarded universally as the number one in the division. He is the only man ranked above me, so he is the man I will aim for.
Enzo Had his chance to fight me, but his team opted for Bobby Gunn. We offered him £180,000 for a non title fight, as I’m not interested in that joke of a belt he was given, that offer was deemed disgusting by his team!
Myself and Enzo will never fight each other. The only way it has a chance of happening, is if I sign a my life away (To his people), and that ain’t happening!
4) If you were offered one million pounds cash in hand or a world title shot in the location of your choice which would you take, if the fight which location and who would be the ideal opponent ?
DH: I would choose, Jean Marc Mormeck at Wembley Arena in September 07.
5) You gained more respect than any other British fighter taking on Carl Thompson in only your 11th fight, I know you learned a lot from that fight and have improved since but immediately afterwards did you feel you had made a mistake taking it so early ?
DH: No, it is what I needed at that time in my life, that night made me as a man. I don’t want to be a protected euro type of fighter, who doesn’t challenge any kind of threat till I’m 30-0. Not my style.
6) Which of your own fights so far have you enjoyed the most ?
DH The Fragomeni fight, as it was one that the fans loved. I’m in this sport to entertain, and I’m only happy when the fans are, not interested in conning the fans like so many fighters nowadays.
7) What is you favourite fight you have been involved in ?
DH: The fight I had at the Playboy Mansion against a drunk bum called Vance Winn. The fight was crap, but the girls were great!
8) Who do you think is the best pound for pound boxer around today ?
DH: Floyd Mayweather.
9) How would you like to be remembered when you eventually retire ?
DH: A guy who was no.1 at Cruiserweight and heavyweight, and who retired in his peak.
10) Your mate Anthony Small has just competed in the new Contender, did you go up to support him and if given the opportunity would you fancy a go yourself next year ?
DH: I was training in Tenerife while that contender thing was on, so couldn’t go to support. Am not really interested in that kind of thing for myself. As I’m WBC mandatory, and I haven’t got time for game shows.
11) Amateur and professional who is the toughest guy you have ever been in a ring with ?
DH: Fragomeni, he has a granite chin.
12) Who out of the Heavyweight champions at the moment would you most like to fight ?
DH: Vitali Klitschko, even though he is not champ, he is regarded as the best heavy in the world. And that’s what I want to be.
It does seem that Macarinelli-Haye will now probably not happen, at least not when the fight should take palce anyway.
I do have some concerns whether David will be able to make the 200lbs limit in the future? I guess only time will tell. Haye is a character and that's what the sport needs. I hope he's successful at HW.
