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FRANK WARREN - Columnist
DAVID HAYE promised to be a breath of fresh air when he announced he would promote his own fights earlier this year.
I’m not sure whether conducting public auditions for the role of his opponent was one of the strategies he had in mind — but it’s been a novel approach to heavyweight match-making.
First, Haye was linked to a fight with untested American Kevin Johnson. Next 47-year-old Ray Mercer threw his name into the hat.
Finally, JD Chapman — who is ranked outside the top 100 — was due to be revealed at a Press conference on Tuesday.
But he failed to show, later claiming he was ‘retiring’ because of boxing politics. Haye’s trainer Adam Booth insisted the first he knew Chapman was not on a plane from the States was 10 minutes before the Press conference.
I find that hard to believe — didn’t Team Haye have someone due to meet Chapman at the airport?
Booth and Haye said Chapman was unprofessional not showing up. Now Haye knows what it’s like to be put in that position — as I was before he fought Enzo Maccarinelli.
But Haye doesn’t have to scour the world for an opponent. As I’ve said before, there’s one right here in Commonwealth champ Matt Skelton.
Skelton fought for the WBA title this year and is ranked 73 places higher than Chapman.
But chinny Haye knows Skelton can knock him out. He won’t go near him.
Haye’s attempts to find an opponent have bordered on the farcical at times this week. Expect things to get worse before they get better.
DAVID HAYE promised to be a breath of fresh air when he announced he would promote his own fights earlier this year.
I’m not sure whether conducting public auditions for the role of his opponent was one of the strategies he had in mind — but it’s been a novel approach to heavyweight match-making.
First, Haye was linked to a fight with untested American Kevin Johnson. Next 47-year-old Ray Mercer threw his name into the hat.
Finally, JD Chapman — who is ranked outside the top 100 — was due to be revealed at a Press conference on Tuesday.
But he failed to show, later claiming he was ‘retiring’ because of boxing politics. Haye’s trainer Adam Booth insisted the first he knew Chapman was not on a plane from the States was 10 minutes before the Press conference.
I find that hard to believe — didn’t Team Haye have someone due to meet Chapman at the airport?
Booth and Haye said Chapman was unprofessional not showing up. Now Haye knows what it’s like to be put in that position — as I was before he fought Enzo Maccarinelli.
But Haye doesn’t have to scour the world for an opponent. As I’ve said before, there’s one right here in Commonwealth champ Matt Skelton.
Skelton fought for the WBA title this year and is ranked 73 places higher than Chapman.
But chinny Haye knows Skelton can knock him out. He won’t go near him.
Haye’s attempts to find an opponent have bordered on the farcical at times this week. Expect things to get worse before they get better.
) and my **** Warren thread for my responce to this statement..
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