OnThEGRiND BOXiNG

Saturday October 31th, 2009
by Suge Green

As the world approaches David vs Nikolay-ath, boxing fans on two and a half continents are eagerly anticipating the bout, as the charismatic and conventionally sized Englishmen faces the towering Russian behemoth.

The North American fans that have managed to maintain consciousness while watching heavyweight boxing are about to be rewarded as well, even if most of our boxing brethren gave up hope on the division when Vitali Klitschko returned, ensuring the perpetual fracture of the division for some time to come. However, with the Klitschko brothers teamed up and taking the bouts that are the most stylistically appealing and advantageous to them, based upon their respective skill sets, a modern retelling of an age old tale may be just what’s needed to break the monotony of a division suffering from the previously mentioned lacklustre co-rule.

David vs Goliath ’09 features two fighters that have suffered from criticism that’s labeled them as over-hyped. Haye ruled a division south of 200lbs. that wasn’t exactly boxing’s most talent rich weight class. Just as the division looked like it was beginning to heat up, Haye moved up, halting any speculation before it got off the ground, on a number of potentially fan thrilling bouts. “The Hayemaker” was determined to conquer deeper waters, and to take his shot at heavyweight gold following his victory over Enzo Mac. With his obligatory redebut at heavyweight (Haye of course had one infamous appearance at heavyweight early in his career), taking place in a perhaps, ‘more difficult than it should have been,’ battle with Monte “Two Guns” Barrett, David Haye was on his way to a title shot via his own non-stop route.

Nikolay Valuev has been criticized from the moment he first debuted on the big stage. Questionable victories took place off of American PPV overseas, including his conquest and capture of the WBA World Heavyweight Championship, followed by questionable victories viewed world wide, such as his “win,” over all time great, Evander Holyfield.

No matter which combatant has his hand raised, neither man will be out of the woods just yet with regard to professional legitimacy. Just around the corner, and behind door number 2 awaits one of the more infamous and constant fixtures in heavyweight boxing during this decade, and the one immediately prior to it for that matter.

Yes, one man will walk out with a piece of the heavyweight championship, and a date with a man who has endured more criticism than both Valuev and Haye combined (lifetime), WBA Mandatory Challenger John “Quiet Man” Ruiz. The quest to restore prestige to the WBA Heavyweight Championship is one that runs parallel with the quest of either of the three fighters to gain their own credibility and respect in the division.

The man who has the most to gain should he win appears to be David Haye, and ironically the least to lose as well. Should he fail in his quest there is still money to be made at heavyweight, as Haye finds himself in the enviable position of being one of the few fighters in the division able to draw a crowd. As has been pointed out by others, he can attempt a return to the waters from whence he came, if need be.

The opportunity to rid the championship scene of both John Ruiz and Nikolay Valuev, in successive fashion should motivate the former cruiserweight just as much as the gold itself. After all, it wasn’t long ago he was talking about how horrible the division is with unskilled fighters and old fighters alike. Should “The Hayemaker” make good on his promises to dispose of these two, a place will no doubt be reserved in the hearts of boxing fans everywhere for the brash boxer from Great Britain.