Video [iFL TV]
IS THIS THE LAST TIME WE WILL SEE DAVID HAYE'S 'AINT NO STOPPING US NOW' RING-WALK?
David Haye was stopped by Tony Bellew in the 5th round of their rematch at the O2 Arena last night, after being down on the canvas 3 times. Before the first fight, few people would ever have predicted this result for the cocky South Londoner, and that Haye's career would end in ruins after losing twice to the previously unheralded Bellew of Liverpool. But the warning signs have all been there for a while now with David Haye. Since at least 2016, Haye has been vainly trying to recapture past glories after his body could no longer write the cheques. Long periods of inactivity during his career have aged him prematurely. Haye looked awful in there. He is unfortunately now a shell of the fighter he once was and really needs to retire..
David Haye [13/10/1980] (28-4-0) 26 KOs
About 10 years ago David Haye was the most exciting heavyweight on the planet. He had talent to burn, the complete package, with speed, power and athleticism all in abundance. Haye had already unified the cruiserweight division in 2008, and still goes down as the best fighter Britain has ever produced at 200 lb.
Haye then lifted the WBA title at heavyweight in 2009 against the 7ft Nikolai Valuev, who was also an incredible 7 stones heavier on the scales. But the explosiveness of David Haye and perfect execution of his coach Adam Booth's game plan meant that the giant Russian barely landed a meaningful blow on Haye over 12 rounds.
Looking back, that was the very peak of David Haye's career. If he had simply retired after defending that WBA belt against John Ruiz in 2010, then he would now be a legendary figure in British boxing.
Haye easily had the charisma and popular appeal to be a top media personality in the UK. It's not too hard to imagine him as a commentator on Sky Sports, or even as their flag-ship presenter, the boxing equivalent of Gary Lineker.
But instead Haye would continue in the ring. For his biggest ever fight and a life changing pay-day against unified Heavyweight champion Vladimir Klitschko.
This is where things started to go wrong for David Haye.. After all his many achievements, along with the celebrity status he had always craved. Haye really started to believe a lot of the hype about himself..
Haye aggressively pursued the Klitschko fight, making outrageous claims and marketing himself as a truly dangerous individual who would be looking to put serious hurt on Wladimir Klitschko in the ring.
The Ukrainian heavy-weight ruler and his handlers seemed slightly bemused by David Haye at first, not knowing whether to take him seriously. But this initial bemusement quickly soured into irritation. Haye continued to hound them with various media stunts and crude trash talk about Klitschko and his family. This was seen as beyond the pale by the long time champion, who always prided himself as the model professional, with his well managed (if rather boring) public image in the Roger Federer mould.
David Haye on the other hand, was turning up to press conferences wearing a T-shirt with the Klitschko Brother's severed heads on display..
This 'shock jock' approach to make the fight from Haye was actually quite clever on his part. He was managing himself by this point and had a lot to gain from the deal financially. But it was also where Haye arguably crossed the line from simply selling a fight, to conning the public to enrich himself.
It would become a pattern with Haye from then on..
When it did happen, the Klitschko fight was a massive anti-climax. After all David Haye's talk, he played it safe for 12 rounds rarely trying to engage with his opponent at all, resulting in a wide decision loss. Klitschko easily controlled the range of the fight with his powerful jab on top of all the obvious height, weight and reach advantages.
But if David Haye had taken the fight to Wladimir Klitschko, even if meant retirement after getting knocked out, it would probably have been a lot better for Haye's legacy.
What made it even worse is that Haye, with shades of Baghdad Bob, tried to hide behind the lame excuse that the reason he had looked so terrible in the fight was because he had broken his little toe. This was ridiculed on all sides, and lost Haye a lot of fans, which was something he never recovered from.
This was pretty much the end of David Haye's career as a legitimate fighter, after that he became a cheap parody of himself. His last meaningful fight for the next 5 years being a KO win in a grudge match against Derek Chisora in 2012.
After yet another nice payday, Haye should then have been set for life. By some estimates he had made around £20 million for his efforts, which put him light years ahead financially compared to most British fighters of his era.
But David Haye always did enjoy the high living, and after a few years, his spending habits and rumours of failed business investments meant he was back in need of money.
Haye also changed trainers a lot during this period, which is always a bad sign from a fighter. There were rumours his long time mentor Adam Booth begged Haye to retire after the Derek Chisora fight, and they never worked together again after that.
Booth must have already seen the tell-tale signs that age and injuries, along with a lack of dedication by Haye to training meant that he was now a fighter in decline.
He was right of course. But instead of listening to this good advice, David Haye surrounded himself with yes-men looking for the next easy pay-day.
But his body couldn't handle it any more. Haye pulled out of fights with Tyson Fury among others time and again. It became a running joke and really damaged Haye's reputation.
In the twilight of his career, rather then keep busy fighting inferior competition (for decent money), hoping to secure his retirement pay-off against Anthony Joshua. Haye made the fateful decision to fight Tony Bellew after his promoter Eddie Hearn got him on the hook with a tempting enough financial offer.
Bellew's story is now a real 'Rocky' tale. He is someone who has long lived in David Haye's shadow. But Tony has now earned real respect. If not from Haye, then surely that of boxing fans everywhere, and that's what is truly priceless.
Which is something that David Haye never did understand, and now he will never get it back..