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David Haye's comedy night boosted by Vitali Klitschko's weak punchlines
David Haye's comedy night boosted by Vitali Klitschko's weak punchlines
By Jeff Powell Last updated at 9:26 PM on 13th December 2009
The gateway from a share of the world heavyweight title to the glory of undisputed champion swung open for David Haye in Switzerland on Saturday night, while he was doing the celebrity rounds in London.
The British wearer of the WBA portion of the crown was not even watching on TV as Vitali Klitschko, the Ukrainian regarded as boxing's dominant heavyweight, laboured to a points victory over a petrified American.
Haye was otherwise occupied as a presenter at the British Comedy Awards, but it is no joke to say his prospects of unifying the heavyweight title improved significantly in his absence from ringside in Berne.
As Haye travelled on to last night's BBC Sports Personality of The Year awards, the odds were shortening against him wresting the WBC belt from Klitschko in 2010.
That oft-delayed showdown is back in the pipeline, partly because Haye has insulted Vitali and his brother Wladimir, holder of the IBF and WBO titles.
After massively outpointing the ultra-negative Kevin Johnson, Vitali said: 'Haye is the world champion only of trash-talking. I am ready to fight him and it will be very interesting.'
Dr Iron Fist, as the elder of the two Klitschkos is nick-named, added: 'I will knock him out.' That looks less certain than it seemed before the now-38-year-old Klitschko went into temporary retirement.
In this fourth fight of his comeback, Vitali appeared significantly slower than six years ago, when he led Lennox Lewis on points before succumbing to bone-exposing cuts around the eyes. And speed is of the essence with Haye, as he proved in his humbling of gigantic Nikolai Valuev to win the WBA title.
Johnson survived the 12 rounds in cowering defensive mode. Consequently, two of the judges gave every round to Klitschko. The third official took pity on Johnson by scoring one round in his favour.
Yet when the shorter Johnson did venture the occasional left jab, the speed of those punches caught the 6ft 8in champion with an ease which will be very encouraging to Haye.
So will the cut above the right eye and lacerations around the left which Klitschko sustained from so few blows. These were reminiscent of the damage inflicted by Lewis - and Haye is a bigger hitter than Johnson.
Concerns about the vulnerability of Haye's chin were kept at bay by his hit-and-run tactics against Valuev but Klitschko is a more formidable proposition.
Yet when the shorter Johnson did venture the occasional left jab, the speed of those punches caught the 6ft 8in champion with an ease which will be very encouraging to Haye.
So will the cut above the right eye and lacerations around the left which Klitschko sustained from so few blows. These were reminiscent of the damage inflicted by Lewis - and Haye is a bigger hitter than Johnson.
Concerns about the vulnerability of Haye's chin were kept at bay by his hit-and-run tactics against Valuev but Klitschko is a more formidable proposition.
Haye will have to go forward frequently and throw more punches if he is to prevail in the eyes of judges. And given this Klitschko's granite jaw, he probably will have to go the distance.
Yet, when Vitali predicts that he and Wladimir would knock-out Haye, he is ignoring his brother's flawed jaw. A fight between Haye and Wladimir would be a shoot-out won by whoever lands the first big punch.
Vitali reminds us that Haye must come through a mandatory defence against Puerto Rican John Ruiz, probably at the 02 Arena in April, if either of those unification bouts are to take place.
But after Saturday, the incentive is even greater for Haye to notch what ought to be a straightforward win in London and then go on to greater glory.
Yet, when Vitali predicts that he and Wladimir would knock-out Haye, he is ignoring his brother's flawed jaw. A fight between Haye and Wladimir would be a shoot-out won by whoever lands the first big punch.
Vitali reminds us that Haye must come through a mandatory defence against Puerto Rican John Ruiz, probably at the 02 Arena in April, if either of those unification bouts are to take place.
But after Saturday, the incentive is even greater for Haye to notch what ought to be a straightforward win in London and then go on to greater glory.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/oth...unchlines.html
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