BoxRec

...might seem like the most obvious statement to make, others may question his ability to fulfil his promises but I have to say in interview and print over the past two years David Haye has grown into a remarkably engaging and candid subject.

He really does have an opportunity to win over America with his intelligent, insightful and honest perspective on all aspects oh his career and the fighters around him.

His patter isn't monotonous in the way others is, he isn't trying to be liked, he isn't trying to be a plastic hard-nut.

I really, really like his persona, his balancing the playboy and the professional perfectly.

Seriously, if Haye starts knocking out heavyweights - he could become a global megastar. Earning serious, serious money.

I never tire of watching his fights, or reading his opinion he's just pure television and from a marketing point - he's easy to promote isn't he.

Hard to believe I was standing watching him being beaten up by 72 year old Carl Thompson not so long back. He really is the spring clean the heavyweights need in so many ways, I just hope he can do it in the ring too.

I'm hopeful as well. Some ppl are saying that, because he isn't mad eof concrete like Holyfield, that Haye can't achieve anything. However, he has different assets than Evander - arguably faster hands, more explosive punch delivery, more of a focus on long range sharp shooting than getting stuck in and trading.

Haye will win a heavyweight title. Maybe not Lineal/Ring/undisputed titles but at least an alphabet title. He has KO'd good men who were barely shorter than Wlad (Gurov for instance) and though there are risks, this factor at very least will keep us all tuning in.

Haye or Povetkin hopefully will get Wlad out of the way. With Vitali not coming back, "smaller" names like Haye, Povetkin, Solis Fonte and future Uzbek cruiserweight great Alexander Alexeev (who I predict will be a world champ soon at 200) may be able to follow Haye.

I've liked him since he was an amateur, and when he turned pro I thought 'What's the fuss over Audley when this guy's just as good, more fearless and 10 years younger - he's going to overlap the oaf that is.'

He is a punching playboy, but a suprising fact is he's never drunk alcohol.

i was going to make a new thread asking what will it take for Haye to actually get mainstream attention a la Naz or Hatton in this country.

I've said it before, but it is an absolute tragedy that this guy is largely unknown to the general public. Lewis Hamilton is a national superstar and don't tell me motor racing is a main widely followed sport here.

I think if Haye had had the same exposure as Audley, winning an olympic gold and having his first fights AS THE MAIN ATTRACTION on the BBC, then things would have been very different.

What a waste that Fraudly was the one who captured the publics attention with that olympic success, only to do what he has done.

Can you imagine how great it would have been if Haye had been that guy? Getting his own billing in his own right, Haye would probably have had an even steeper learning curve than he did. If he had a 10 fight contract with the BBC with an Olympic gold behind him I could imagine Haye going for the gold medallist fast track route, knowing the country would be impatient to see him get to the top.

He may have come derailed like he did against Thompson, but this British public would probably have been all too willing to follow his comeback as they will with Hatton.

Then we have an undisputed world champ, a national superstar, nurtured as the main attraction on the BBC, who then goes and has a great shot at cleaning up heavyweight.

It could have all been so beautiful. As it stands, who the f**k knows what he'll have to do to get recognition in a country of sports fans with very odd attitudes about winners and losers.

Anyone remember Haye's first TV fight (I think) it was an Amateur contest USA vs England (on Sky)... they hyped Haye as a shoeing cause he was fighting a last minute replacement.

Haye lost - questions over his stamina were raised since then.... but he's turned it round nicely.

He was also the model in the old Ringside show.

STP wrote: He is a punching playboy, but a suprising fact is he's never drunk alcohol.

You sure about that?

Did anyone else notice the Islamic symbol on his shots when he fought Mormeck?

And no, that's not a joke. Or is it a flag symbol.

I do wonder if this - "fighting out of the turkish republic of northern cyprus" will affect his popularity in the UK.

Junior showing off his Jamaican roots on his shorts hasn't done him any favours... not saying its the only reason why the British public haven't taken to him.

It took the "italian dragon" along time also to become a true fans favourite.

stujones wrote:I do wonder if this - "fighting out of the turkish republic of northern cyprus" will affect his popularity in the UK.

Junior showing off his Jamaican roots on his shorts hasn't done him any favours... not saying its the only reason why the British public haven't taken to him.

It took the "italian dragon" along time also to become a true fans favourite.

What's Northern Cyprus got to do with it, is that where he lives now or something?

jamesmcdonnell wrote:

stujones wrote:I do wonder if this - "fighting out of the turkish republic of northern cyprus" will affect his popularity in the UK.

Junior showing off his Jamaican roots on his shorts hasn't done him any favours... not saying its the only reason why the British public haven't taken to him.

It took the "italian dragon" along time also to become a true fans favourite.

What's Northern Cyprus got to do with it, is that where he lives now or something?

He's been training and living in Turkish Cyprus

Chambers2 wrote:

jamesmcdonnell wrote:

stujones wrote:I do wonder if this - "fighting out of the turkish republic of northern cyprus" will affect his popularity in the UK.

Junior showing off his Jamaican roots on his shorts hasn't done him any favours... not saying its the only reason why the British public haven't taken to him.

It took the "italian dragon" along time also to become a true fans favourite.

What's Northern Cyprus got to do with it, is that where he lives now or something?

He's been training and living in Turkish Cyprus

..and why he has the Turkish/Cypriot flag on his trunks.

jamesmcdonnell wrote:

stujones wrote:I do wonder if this - "fighting out of the turkish republic of northern cyprus" will affect his popularity in the UK.

Junior showing off his Jamaican roots on his shorts hasn't done him any favours... not saying its the only reason why the British public haven't taken to him.

It took the "italian dragon" along time also to become a true fans favourite.

What's Northern Cyprus got to do with it, is that where he lives now or something?

Yeah - I think anyway.

Agreed. If Haye brought the same hype as Audley, boxing in this country could be far less reliant on Amir Khan, and not all buried away on Setanta.

The way Haye was sparking risky guys made for far more exciting viewing than Audley poking at fleshy clubfighters in dour encounters.

haye has the tools to get to the top its whether is chin can take the big heavies and on matter what he says he will eventually get caught and take a big shot

Haye is a pretty decent chap to give respects to a country is now living in..And i wonder if he has any growing Turkish-cypriot fans??

I thought you could get into serious trouble for displaying that flag in Cyprus, but I can't find anything on it on google.

Emerson Poncey Name Ghent wrote:I thought you could get into serious trouble for displaying that flag in Cyprus, but I can't find anything on it on google.

Not sure if he had the Cypus flag on his shorts - but he had the Turkish one.

David Haye has the potentental to clean up the heavyweight divison and maybe win a few belts on the way.

Emerson Poncey Name Ghent wrote:I thought you could get into serious trouble for displaying that flag in Cyprus, but I can't find anything on it on google.

Probably depends on which half of Cyprus you're in, the Turkish or the Greek

Hayes got the full package

His BIG punching, low hand style makes him exciting in the ring.

Most importantly, he's got the best attitude for a boxer. He's got confidence in his ability and is willing to push himself (he's the anti-Comfort Zone fighter)

He's charismatic in front of the camera.

He's totally dedicated to the sport.... now

He's 100% British (I hope them shorts ain't gonna be a permanent fixture)

The jammy kant's even a good looking bastard.

He's gonna be a MegaSuperStar

the turkish republic of northern cyprus (TRNC) is the flag that haye has emblazoned on his shorts. he has been training there and i believe he has property there too. there is certainly a strong cockney contingement living and working in TRNC. it has been known by the turks as TRNC since they invaded the island in 1974.

the problem is that the TRNC is not recognised as a country in its own right and neither is it recognised as a part of turkey and its certainly not recognised as a legal republic apart from by the turks themselves.

it is a beautiful country with fantastic scenery and is now accessible from the south via a few cross over points on the green line, the currency there is turkish lira adn it is obviously like a mini-turkey. i would certainly reccommend that anyone who goes on holiday to the greek part of cyprus (paphos, ayia napa, limassol etc) should go up through the border to see the sights, you can even take your hire car from the south up there !!

it does have its own airport (ercan) but as the republic is not recognised you cannot take direct flights from the uk, you have to go via turkey, unless you travel to the greek side (larnaca or paphos airport) then go via bus up through the border on a turkish visa.

all in all its a great place, great scenery and great food, the people are friendly too.

rhino222 wrote:the turkish republic of northern cyprus (TRNC) is the flag that haye has emblazoned on his shorts. he has been training there and i believe he has property there too. there is certainly a strong cockney contingement living and working in TRNC. it has been known by the turks as TRNC since they invaded the island in 1974.

You probably got an UN medal by patrolling the buffer zone you auld facker!

shut up you slop jockey !!

DavidPayne wrote:...might seem like the most obvious statement to make, others may question his ability to fulfil his promises but I have to say in interview and print over the past two years David Haye has grown into a remarkably engaging and candid subject.

He really does have an opportunity to win over America with his intelligent, insightful and honest perspective on all aspects oh his career and the fighters around him.

His patter isn't monotonous in the way others is, he isn't trying to be liked, he isn't trying to be a plastic hard-nut.

I really, really like his persona, his balancing the playboy and the professional perfectly.

Seriously, if Haye starts knocking out heavyweights - he could become a global megastar. Earning serious, serious money.

I never tire of watching his fights, or reading his opinion he's just pure television and from a marketing point - he's easy to promote isn't he.

Hard to believe I was standing watching him being beaten up by 72 year old Carl Thompson not so long back. He really is the spring clean the heavyweights need in so many ways, I just hope he can do it in the ring too.

The main thing David Haye has over most fighters is that he is HONEST!.

Honest about his strenghts - perceived weaknesses etc etc.

Honesty is the best policy.