BoxRec

http://www.BS.com/?m=show&id=15874


David Haye-Kevin Johnson Reportedly a Done Deal

By Rick Reeno

BS.com has been informed that undefeated heavyweight prospect Kevin "Kingpin" Johnson (27-0-1, 7KOs) has accepted the proposed offer to fight David Haye (21-1, 20KOs) for November 15 at the O2 Arena in London.

Because of Haye's overseas television deal that calls for a fight with a top-ten heavyweight, Haye's back was against the wall after not coming to terms with several other candidates. Johnson is ranked at number-seven by the WBA. Johnson saw action last Friday in Atlantic City, knocking out former heavyweight champion Bruce Seldon.

According to a source close to Hayemaker Promotions, the announcement should be coming next week.


This may be posted somewhere - but I could not find it!

Non-puncher. hmmm?

allegedly would get crucified if he did that for one of his boys

but..the fella is top 10 rated and he is unbeaten, so we cant complain. just hope haye makes a statement and disposes of the yank.

After all the talk, this isn't good enough in my opinion :)

Aye, a bit disappointing


fornicate it, very disappointing, now that i think about it

his first real heavyweight fight, who did you expect him to fight ???

What I don't understand is why he going for a guy ranked number 7 by the WBA, when Valuev currently holds that belt, not Klitschko. Is this fight simply testing ground that doesn't need to affect his rankings?

Asterix wrote:What I don't understand is why he going for a guy ranked number 7 by the WBA, when Valuev currently holds that belt, not Klitschko. Is this fight simply testing ground that doesn't need to affect his rankings?

I think Haye would sooner fight Valuev than Klitschko 1st

i would rather haye fight johnson than an easy KO of Rahman who is totally washed up.

christ fellas, its an unbeaten fighter !!!!

rhino222 wrote:i would rather haye fight johnson than an easy KO of Rahman who is totally washed up.

christ fellas, its an unbeaten fighter !!!!

I agree rhino !!!

Who is saying this is disappointing? You you never be satisfied?? This is an exciting heavyweight match between two rising stars in the division who hope fighting eachother -- rather than carefully avoiding one another like most would do -- will fast track them to title shots.

It's a valid test and far more ballsy a choice than the host of 'name' washed up has beens and never weres bandied about on here of late. It would have been easy to go for a past-peak name and to get a chalk mark on the CV and an easy knockover. Instead this is a couragous choice for both men, and I applaud them for it.

What more do you want, you whining c*nts?

I'm happy with the opponent, for a first real test at HW it ticks all the boxes for me. Can't wait.

Bring on Toney next!

Carbo wrote:Who is saying this is disappointing? You you never be satisfied?? This is an exciting heavyweight match between two rising stars in the division who hope fighting eachother -- rather than carefully avoiding one another like most would do -- will fast track them to title shots.

It's a valid test and far more ballsy a choice than the host of 'name' washed up has beens and never weres bandied about on here of late. It would have been easy to go for a past-peak name and to get a chalk mark on the CV and an easy knockover. Instead this is a couragous choice for both men, and I applaud them for it.

What more do you want, you whining c*nts?

Well said -its a Tua Vs Ruiz scenario,imo

Winner gets nearer the prize and the loser........

They've since moved on from this via JD Chapman to Eddie Chambers.

I still think Maskaev may feature, deluded I am.

Sounds like a decent enough opponent to me.

A decent opponent who will have ambition.
This will give us a better indication of how Haye will fair against the big boys .. if his punches will have as big an effect as they did against an inferior bunch of cruisers.

lefthook82 wrote:Non-puncher. hmmm?

allegedly allegedly would get crucified if he did that for one of his boys

A young, unbeaten top 10 ranked opponent as the first real fight at a new weight. Yeah, Warren's recklessly brave matchmaking really shows Hayemaker up doesn't it?

If there is any disappointment in an opponent that's because the whole division is so awful than anyone other than the belt holder would also be a disappoinment.

Leaving out belt holders and fighters who have just fought or are scheduled to fight can someone list the better alternatives?

For his first fight at heavyweight this guy aint to bad. But considering all the mince team Haye have been feeding us lately about fighting a 'named' oponent, then this guy has to be seen as a bit of a piss take.

ALI wrote:For his first fight at heavyweight this guy aint to bad. But considering all the mince team Haye have been feeding us lately about fighting a 'named' oponent, then this guy has to be seen as a bit of a piss take.

In all honesty I very much doubt that Johnson was their first choice name opponent - you can only close deals with those willing to make them.

Haye has shown an ambitious streak in terms of matching thus far in his career, I doubt he is trying to hide behind a 'soft' foe here..

A bigger name would have been preferable in my mind but big names come with big demands.

TerribleTerry wrote:A bigger name would have been preferable in my mind but big names come with big demands.

I've been told that Rahman was looking for $1.5m. If that's true, it's a disgusting amount of money.

I've thought about it, and I think Johnson could be the guy to test Haye, provided he gets through the first few rounds. He looks tough and comes forward, and he's obviously gonna be a bigger ask than Fragomeni who did the same thing and caused some problems

I seriously hope Haye wins, he's my favourite fighter. But don't count out Johnson.

Why shouldn't he ask for that much?

Hayemaker made it clear they would pay top dollar when they launched.

More money for opponent = higher ticket prices.

Emerson Poncey Name Ghent wrote:

TerribleTerry wrote:A bigger name would have been preferable in my mind but big names come with big demands.

I've been told that Rahman was looking for $1.5m. If that's true, it's a disgusting amount of money.

1.5 mill for that lump of shit to fall over in a few rounds?

thats a disgrace, f**k off rahman.

Johnson's out isn't he? Didn't Haye reject him and look toward Eddie Chambers?