“If you look at him physically, he’s six foot five. He’s eighteen stone. He’s a former Olympic gold medalist. So he’s got all the ingredients. But for some reason, he doesn’t cook right. Whenever you put them together, it just doesn’t gel. He believes, for this one fight only, he can make it gel. I don’t think so. I think I’m going to absolutely destroy him.” – David Haye, speaking of Audley Harrison
David Haye is ferocious when he has a man hurt.
Most heavyweights in this era are content to measure a stunned opponent with the jab, patiently waiting for an opportunity to land a finishing right.
Not Haye.
When the World Boxing Association Heavyweight Champion senses an opponent is hurt, he quite literally pounces on his man, throwing “haymakers” with both hands, from all angles. It’s an attacking style that’s not uncommon in the lighter weight classes, but it is rare in a division where a single shot can end a fight.
Haye also has the quickest hands in the heavyweight class and his straight right can be blindingly fast and lethal.
These traits have many believing Haye is the only man in the division with a real shot at upsetting Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko, the Ukrainian brothers who hold the World Boxing Council, International Boxing Federation and World Boxing Organization versions of the title.
But getting Haye in the ring with either Klitschko has proven difficult.
“I tried to make a unification fight with one of the Klitschko brothers, but negotiations fell through,” Haye said recently. “They weren’t treating me like a champion. They’re used to fighting these guys … these washed up Americans … who will sign any contract, sign away their rights, sign their lives away to fight them. I’m not one of those guys. I’m the heavyweight champion of the world. They’re not treating me that way. Until they do, the fight isn’t happening. And the way it’s worked out, we’re here with an all-British clash.”
Yet, from the day his match with fellow Brit Audley Harrison was announced, it’s been clear Haye is uncomfortable sharing the main stage with his former amateur teammate. The anger simmering behind his eyes is clearly visible each time the two get together.
“I don’t think Audley deserves a shot at the heavyweight title,” Haye told the assembled media at the press conference announcing their fight -- a mantra he’s repeated throughout the promotion. “Fortunately, or unfortunately for him, it depends on the way you look at it, there’s enough people in Britain who want to see him finally get destroyed, completely annihilated, and that’s why this fight is happening.”
'Fraudley’ Harrison: From Olympic Champion to National Joke
“I get more e-mails (asking me) to fight Audley Harrison than anyone else in the world. Everyone feels passionately that they want me to finally close the curtain on the joke that is the Audley Harrison show. And that’s what I’m going to do.” – David Haye
Audley Harrison’s career certainly got off to a bumpy start. Unfortunately, the road he traveled to get to his championship fight with David Haye at the M.E.N. Arena on Nov. 13 was also dotted with landmines.
In 2003, following his eleventh professional fight – a stoppage win over Matthew Ellis – Harrison was challenged from the audience by former World Boxing Organization champion Herbie Hide. When Harrison returned the jibes directed at him, a riot erupted outside the ring. Both fighters were subsequently fined by the British Boxing Board of Control.
His troubles continued in 2004 when a ligament tear in his left hand sidelined Harrison for nearly a year. During that hiatus, BBC Sport decided to drop its boxing coverage, and Harrison’s contract with the network wasn’t renewed.
By 2005, “A-Force” needed to do something drastic to change the momentum. So the decision was made to challenge fan-favorite Danny Williams for the Commonwealth (British Empire) title. But the move proved disastrous. Williams floored Harrison and won a 12-round majority decision, handing Harrison his first professional loss – to the apparent delight of the entire nation.
Even before the official decision was announced, a British commentator on the international television broadcast crowed: “So Audrey, Ordinary, A-Farce, call him whatever you like. Because, let’s face it, after that display, he deserves it.”
Realizing his welcome in England had run out, Harrison flew to California, where he had taken up residence two years earlier to escape the relentless media assault. Once there, he signed to fight former contender Dominick Guinn. But Harrison turned in arguably the worst performance of his career against the American, appearing completely disinterested in the contest. He not only lost a one-sided 10-round decision, but the back-to-back losses seemed to signal that Harrison’s dream of competing for the heavyweight championship may never happen.
Desperate for a way out, Audley agreed to a rematch with Danny Williams in the fall of 2006. To everyone’s shock, he scored a dramatic third-round knockout. Two months later, he was back in a British ring again, this time against perennial contender Michael Sprott. But calamity struck again. After flooring Sprott and dominating him for two rounds, Harrison went for the knockout in the third. At that moment, Sprott uncorked a wild left hook that caught Harrison flush and knocked him unconscious.
Harrison’s career appeared all but over. To many in the sporting press, he seemed destined to go down as the biggest ‘bust’ in British boxing history.
David Haye: Putting Audley Harrison on my undercard would’ve devalued my business
“As professionals, it’s all about individuality. We drifted apart. He went his route. I went mine. I said I was going to do some big things and I did them. He said he was going to do some things and he didn’t. So I think there’s a bit of jealousy.” – David Haye
Looking for a lifeline, Harrison phoned his old friend Haye in 2008.
Haye, who had won the cruiserweight championship, was quickly becoming one of the most popular fighters in Britain. He also had a new television deal of his own, and Harrison called to ask his old mate if he could appear on the undercard of one of Haye’s shows, just like Harrison had done for him years ago.
To Harrison’s complete shock, Haye said no. The sting of that rejection is something Harrison mentions often as one of his prime motivations for this bout.
“I asked (David) to put me on one of his shows when he was his own promoter and he had his own dates with another network, and he didn’t put me on,” Harrison told Sky Sports during the build-up to their November meeting. “That’s when I realized David was just a fair-weather friend. It was a one-way friendship.”
When asked by a BBC reporter why he refused to help a friend when he was down, Haye shocked many with his cold reply.
“It was our first show and we wanted to start off with a bang,” Haye explained, as Harrison sat across from him. “(Audley) was also the laughingstock of British boxing. If I would’ve put him on my undercard, he would’ve devalued my business.”
Even for Brits who had booed Harrison for almost a decade, the comment seemed harsh, traitorous almost. After all, Harrison had fought and won the Olympic Gold for his country. And in the weeks since Haye made that statement, support for Harrison has picked up.
After all, Harrison may have been outrageous and arrogant when he was on top. But the fact that he continues to persevere, despite the losses, has humanized and humbled him to some extent. And Brits do prefer humility in their athletes, sometimes even over wins.
“I believe David has obviously gone past me. And he didn’t look behind and help me out when I needed him. And Karma’s going to come and smack him in the face on Nov. 13.” – Audley Harrison
See Also (Part 1) Best of Enemies: David Haye Vows 'To Execute' Audley Harrison
See Also (Part 3) Best of Enemies: 'Knocking out David Haye is My Destiny'
See Also (Part 4) Best of Enemies: David Haye Carries Harrison, KOs Audley in 3
See Also (Part 5) Best of Enemies: Audley Harrison Avoids Fine, Receives Full Purse
