Reading the back and forth on Twitter between David Haye and Tyson Fury about purse splits to face each other, WBC #4 rated heavyweight contender Magomed “Mago” Abdusalamov (18-0, 18 KOs) has an easy deal to offer the #5, 6 and 7 contenders in his division.

“I’ll take an 80/20 purse split and I will take the 20% to fight either David Haye, Tyson Fury or Seth Mitchell,” says the Russian powerhouse. “In fact, says Abdusalamov, if I lose, I will give them my 20% and I will walk away happy, knowing I don’t deserve my ranking in the WBC.”

Abdusalamov, a pulverizing puncher who has dispatched all 18 of his professional opponents says he’s willing to forego all the negotiating and posturing being done between the fighters and offer his lower-rated counterparts a chance at a lucrative heavyweight showdown.

“David Haye says he’s having trouble getting Tyson Fury in a ring. He’ll have no trouble with me and he can take the lion’s share of the money. I am the future of heavyweight boxing and I’ll fight anyone to prove it.”

Abdusalamov’s promoter, Sampson Lewkowicz of Sampson Boxing, says his phone is fully charged and waiting for a call.

“Mago fears no one. Instead of arguing about money, we are offering them a fight with a higher-rated fighter in the WBC and they can take most of the money. They will get paid and Mago will continue to prove he is the next heavyweight champion by knocking any of them out if they take the deal. Pick up the phone and call me. We will set it up quickly and let’s make a fight.”

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, Former two division world champion David Haye had to withdraw from his June 29th fight with former world Heavyweight title challenger Manuel Charr due to a left hand injury.

“I’m absolutely gutted to have to pull out of this fight on June 29,” Haye said. “I pick up injuries now and again in training, and sometimes carry them into fights, but this was one I simply couldn’t recover from in time. I need to rest it up for at least four weeks.

“I apologize to Manuel Charr and to everybody involved with the promotion. But most of all I want to say sorry to the thousands of fans who bought tickets to the fight. I felt it was important to let them know about the cancellation as soon as possible, so they can now make other plans. As soon as I am told I can resume full training, my loyal fans will be the first to know.”

Former two-division world champion David Haye will meet former Heavyweight title challenger Manuel Charr on June 29 in Manchester, England according to Dan Rafael of espn.com

“I’m delighted to have agreed to a four-fight promotional deal with David Haye and Hayemaker,” said Eddie Hearn of Matchrrom Sport, who will co-promote the fight with Haye. “In my opinion David is the most exciting heavyweight on the planet and I’m over the moon to help bring his comeback fight against Charr to Sky Sports on June 29.”\

Last month, Charr continued his efforts, saying, “I heard that Haye is still looking for an opponent for his next fight. There’s no need to look any further. I’m right here waiting. Haye himself said that Vitali Klitschko couldn’t beat me — [that] instead Vitali’s doctor won the fight for him [by stopping the fight because of the cut]. I still want my rematch against Klitschko and Haye is my way to get there. Let’s do an eliminator for Vitali. I’m ready when you are, David!”

Heavyweight contender Manuel Charr has big goals for 2013. „I hope to get another chance to fight Vitali Klitschko for the WBC world championship“, states Charr. „I will do whatever it takes to make this fight happen. I can only hope that Vitali doesn’t retire. I heard that David Haye wants to fight him, too. Well, David, we both have the same goal – so let us find out in the ring who should have the right to challenge Klitschko. I am hereby officially challenging you for an elimination bout!“

In his first world title shot in September in Moscow Charr was stopped by a cut in the fourth round. „Vitali didn’t beat me – his doctor did it for him“, says Charr. „I think David Haye said the same thing right after the fight.“ The „Diamond Boy“ has already checked different options to get a rematch against the older Klitschko brother.

After winning the WBC Silver international championship in March, Charr added the WBC Baltic and WBC Mediterranean title to his collection of minor regional belts by knocking out tough contender Konstantin Airich in one round on December 21st. „There are seven minor WBC belts – and I want to unify them all“, says Charr. „Once I have all the ‚small’ belts the only one missing will be the big green and gold title. And that’s what I’m looking for.“

Another chance to secure a title shot would be winning the „WBC World Cup“ which is supposed to start in May. „The WBC is looking for eight contenders for the World Cup“, states Charr. „I am honoured to be on the short list. The winner of the tournament will become the mandatory challenger for the world championship.“

The only problem: The World Cup is scheduled for a whole year which means that Charr – in case he wins the tournament – would be world title challenger in 2014 when Vitali Klitschko will most probably be retired. But the „Diamond Boy“ desperately wants to face Klitschko again to show the world that he can beat the best heavyweight fighter in the world.

„That’s why I am calling out David Haye. I am not ducking anybody and only looking for the biggest challenge out there. David, if you’re reading this, come on and fight me! I’m ready and only waiting for you – let’s get it on!“

LOS ANGELES, December 27 – Throughout the years, several British superstars, including Amir “King” Khan, Ricky “Hitman” Hatton and David “Hayemaker” Haye, have fought under the Golden Boy Promotions banner. Today, the Los Angeles-based promoter is pleased to announce the signing of a promotional agreement with a young man it believes will follow in his countrymen’s footsteps, 2012 Olympic Bronze medalist for Great Britain, Anthony Ogogo.

“I am delighted to be signing with the premier promoter in boxing, Golden Boy Promotions,” said Ogogo. “So many great fighters have come before me at Golden Boy and in the coming years I hope to live up to the standard they’ve set. I can’t wait to get started.”

“2012 has been without doubt one of the greatest years of my life,” continued Ogogo. “To represent my country at a home Games was an incredible experience and the bronze medal I won will always be close to my heart. Following the Olympics I’ve been looking to the future and considering a number of options, and feel that the time is now right to turn professional with Golden Boy.”

“Anthony Ogogo has everything you look for in a boxer,” said Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions. “He can fight, he has style and charisma and he has amazing crossover potential. I have no doubt that Anthony has the skills in the ring and the personality outside of it to make him a global boxing star. We are proud to have him on our team and this is just the first step in our growing commitment to British boxing.”

A talented soccer player who played for Norwich City FC when he was younger, Lowestoft, England’s Anthony Ogogo found his true love in the ring where he has been competing since the age of 12. After winning a Junior Olympic Gold medal and Silver medals at the Commonwealth Games and European Championships, Ogogo earned a place on Great Britain’s 2012 Olympic team. In London this past summer, Ogogo beat representatives from the Dominican Republic, Ukraine and Germany to win a Bronze Medal, thrilling his fans from throughout the United Kingdom. Outside the ring, the 24-year-old Ogogo is a former model and was also a cast member of the 2008 hit reality show, “Big Brother: Celebrity Hijack.”

A date, venue and opponent for Ogogo’s professional debut will be announced shortly. For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com; follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.twitter.com/AnthonyOgogo, or visit us on Facebook at Golden Boy Facebook Page.

Boxing insiders will forgive David Haye. Many of us have already. What he did some Saturdays ago against Wladimir Klitschko, the ballsy hustle of it, was different to us only for reasons of scale. We see the same embellishment and churlish irony from smalltime promoters each month. Supposedly, it’s part of prizefighting’s charm.

We endure it out of self-interest. If the heavyweight division could just get back on the front page of . . . well, OK, the homepage of, well, something, laymen would again talk about our sport. They’d want to read about it, too. Advertisers would return. Writers would be paid.

But what about those laymen? If you know any, they approached you this week about Klitschko-Haye because you’ve mentioned boxing to them at Starbucks. These aren’t your friends from the gym. These are the people with whom you talk about boxing, work or federal-debt-ceiling negotiations.

And what they wanted from you, believe it or not, was a little outrage. They watched Klitschko-Haye, because it was for the heavyweight championship of the world, and they were unimpressed. So, they wanted your eyes to flash or your voice to rise Monday. They wanted to hear what Haye did was unacceptable. When you explained the fight wasn’t that bad and Klitschko is very effective at what he does and Haye’s trash-talking is just the way of the world, you know what these laymen thought?

Hadn’t watched boxing in ages. Seems I haven’t missed anything.

We won’t mourn these absentee fans’ future absence because that’s what the 1990s and 2000s were for – fretting over a dwindling interest in our sport. Today, God love us, we’re defiant; those moronic ghouls, we say, they just want senseless violence and don’t even know what a counterpunch is!

There went the last three casual fans? Very well. No one here but the choir, then, so let’s preach to us.

We found comfort on Friday and Saturday – a couple reminders of why we stick with this sport no matter how little this sport cares that we do. Arizona super middleweight Jesus “El Martillo” Gonzales made a fine scrap with Mexico light heavyweight Francisco Sierra on ESPN2, Friday. And Saturday “Bam Bam” Brandon Rios made one of the finest three-round championship fights of the last 30 years, with Urbano Antillon on Showtime.

But it was all ruined by HBO. There is a temptation to think that way, sure. It was hard to watch Saturday’s fare in the aficionado’s proper order – Showtime first, HBO second – without going to bed a little downtrodden. HBO set out to rehab one of its house fighters, and he lost, and the Atlantic City judges – unaware HBO had quit on its house fighter – turned in majority-decision scorecards confirming a rehabilitation.

Paul Williams’ victory, contrary to popular sentiment, was not all that is wrong with boxing. At this point, a 100-round fight couldn’t turn that trick. Williams’ victory instead was a lesson in the corrupting effect of vesting a small group of people with disproportionate power, but if we’re going to play the boxing-as-metaphor game, we might as well find a worthier subject to treat than some Machiavellian advisor or other.

You know what? Let’s scrap the game altogether and just celebrate what Gonzales, Sierra, Rios and Antillon gave us.

Jesus Gonzales, possessed of one remarkable punch and many flaws, returned to the place where he was comprehensively undone by Jose Luis Zertuche almost six years ago. He dropped Sierra in the fourth round with a left cross he throws to the body as well as any southpaw in the game. Then he was dropped in the fifth by a Sierra right hand to the chin Gonzales leaves unguarded as any southpaw’s in the game. But Gonzales rose from the canvas to win a fair unanimous decision.

His attack consists of a bunny hop, a pair of jabs and a lunging left hand followed by backwards hops and a reset. Something like this.

Gonzales bounces, sets. He jabsjabs, then leaps. Right hand in his front pocket, chin good and high, he dives forward. The left fist uncoils perfectly from behind his left shoulder, and his wrist turns over at the instant before impact, to make a punch forceful enough to crack a human rib – a feat Gonzales achieved against Kendall Gould 50 months ago in Fountain Hills, Ariz. – the very sort of punch that would fold Andre Ward in half were it to land. The odds of that happening are long. Ward is much better than Sierra. Much better than Gonzales, too. But anyway.

Gonzales is not the future star promoter Bob Arum thought he was in 2003. But ESPN2 could do a lot worse than televising Gonzales’ next three or four fights.

Writing of Arum’s roster of future stars – the fluctuating team of a curmudgeonly coach – how about that Brandon Rios? Little was missing from his 8 1/2 minute destruction of Urbano Antillon but the finish. With Antillon dazed and stumbling away, Rios just missed a chance to run across the ring and finish him like Marvelous Marvin Hagler finished Tommy Hearns in the only better three-round fight you can think of.

This was a fight for a world lightweight title. It was a fight in which neither man gave ground. A fight that saw Antillon, felled twice and on the verge of unconsciousness, scoff at a ref’s suggestion the fight should not resume. A fight of gorgeous uppercuts and hooks and no defense for its own sake. A treat that Rios ended by catching Antillon’s left hook to the body and countering it with a right cross, twice. Poetic.

Yes, sport in general has forgotten but not forgiven David Haye. And there are fewer prospective boxing fans today than there were two weeks ago. But there are still prizefighters from the Mexican tradition out there. And in that, friends, we must find our solace.

Bart Barry can be reached via Twitter.com @bartbarry

David Haye promised he would retire in October for his thirty-first birthday. He either already retired or should have as he was extremely lackluster in his one sided unanimous decision to Wladimir Klitschko in what was the most anticiapted Heavyweight championship bout in nearly a decade in Hamburg, Germany.

The fight lacked the action that most thought it would have in the nearly three year build up of this bout. Haye showed some quickness early but his only offense was lunging and jumping in to land blind punches in an effort to hurt Klitschko. Klitshcko settled in an got his vaunted jab pumping which made Haye “fight” backing up and not looking for any sustained offense.

Haye continued to flop around the ring and hit the canvas a handful of times for which referee Gino Rodriguez deducted a point in round seven from Klitschko for holding. Klitschko won rounds by landing some jabs and the combination of a lack of effort from Haye, who promised fireworks but produced a dud.

Klitschko scored a dubious knockdown in round eleven after Haye lunged in a was pushed down with the left arm and Rodriguez ruled a rematch. Haye landed a huge right hand that got Klitschko’s attention but he wasn’t able to capitalize.

Klitschko, 242 lbs of Kiev, Ukranine won by scores of 118-108; 117-108 and 116-110 to add the WBA Heavyweight championship to the IBF/WBO/Ring Magazine collection and is now 56-3. Haye, 212 lbs of London, England is now 25-2.

After the fight Haye claimed he had a broken toe which hampered his performance

Follow all the action LIVE as it happens when IBF/WBO/Ring Magazine Heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko takes on WBA Heavyweight Champion David Haye in the most anticipated Heavyweight fight in a decade. The Action gets underway at 4:45 eastern time/9:45 pm in London and 10:45 in Hamburg

12 Rounds–IBF/WBA/WBC/Ring Magazine Heavyweight Title–Wladimir Klitschko (55-3, 49 KO’s) vs David Haye (25-1, 23 KO’s)

Both guys in the ring…national Anthems being played

Round 1: Haye slips trying to dive in…Klitschko lands 2 jabs…Right from Haye…10-9 Klitschko

Round 2: Klitschko lands a jab…Haye lands a jab…Klitschko lands a right..Haye lands a jab…..20-18 Klitschko

Round 3: Haye lands 3 rights…Klitschko bleeding from the nose…Klitschlo lands a left and right on the ropes…29-29 Klitschko

Round 4: Klitschko lands a right..Hard right from Haye…Big right at the bell..38-38

Round 5 Klitschlo throwing lead lefy hook…big right..Haye lands a right…48-47 Klitschko

Round 6 Haye lands a jab…Jab..Klitschko bleeding on his right cheek..Klitschko lands a left hook…57-57

Round 7: Big left from Haye..Klitschko is deducted a point for pushing Haye down…Lead left from Haye..66-66

Round 8 Haye doing NOTHING…76-75 Klitschko

Round 9: Haye lands a right..Klitschko lands a right…right…...86-84 Klitschko

Round 10 Good right from Klitschko...96-93 Klitschko

Round 11 LITTLE LEFT HAND AND DOWN GOES HAYE….Hard right…Left hook…106-101 Klitschko

Round 12:…Big right from Haye…115-111 Klitschko

117-108; 118-1108; 116-110 KLITSCHKO

For years, Wladimir Klitschko has been the solitary chess master against a field full of guys who should be playing checkers. He’s been winning with a stoic efficiency that earns polite applause, yet without any of the passion that captures the public imagination.

Maybe, David Haye, a joker on Klitschko’s familiar board of squares, can change that Saturday on HBO at Imtech Arena in Hamburg, Germany. There’s a theory that Haye has been winning the psychological rounds, the fight before the fight. It’s as if he hired Bernard Hopkins to be a consultant.

Haye’s insults, choreographed to be as outrageous as possible, have ringside psychologists reading the body language and interpreting the words for signs of anger in Klitschko (55-3, 49 KOs). An angry Klitschko might result in mistakes that could turn him into a beatable Klitschko, whose many advantages include a powerful jab, size and friendly German fans.

Haye’s tactical gamesmanship is a reasonable, perhaps necessary, weapon in a plan to lure Klitschko away from strengths and into an exchange designed to expose a brittle chin to quick hands that could score a dramatic upset. Still, it’s hard to tell whether Klitschko’s anger is just some gamesmanship of his own. Nobody has ever questioned Dr. Klitschko’s smarts.

Klitschko, who has a PhD in philosophy and sports science, has to have a pretty good read on what Haye (25-1, 23 KOs) is trying to do. It ain’t academic. It’s been all street, including a cartoonist’s rendering of Wladimir and brother Vitali’s severed heads bleeding across a T-shirt. Haye has even gone Hitler on Klitschko. He tweeted a link to Downfall, a film about Hitler’s final days. Maybe, Haye’s parade to the ring will include a few goose-steps. There’s nothing he won’t do to offend, offend and offend again.

Trouble is, Haye probably has turned Germany into a bigger fan of Klitschko than he already is. I’m not sure Klitschko will ever express the kind of emotion that becomes a bond between some fighters and their countrymen in other corners of the world. The Filipinos identify with Manny Pacquiao. Mexicans looked at Julio Cesar Chavez and saw themselves. Klitschko, a Ukrainian, looks like the stoic face of an Eastern European edifice. He is as hard to know as he is to appreciate during the weakest era in the heavyweight division.

For the last several years, we’ve watched Klitschko to applaud his skill. But Haye, as unlikely a business partner as there has ever been, has created an opportunity for him to become somebody he has never been.
“If you keep winning, something is going to come up,’’ Klitschko trainer Emanuel Steward said nearly a year ago when asked what or who will propel the heavyweight champion into a legacy of his own.

Then, Steward said it would be Haye, who has willingly and perhaps unwittingly transformed himself into a bad guy. For Klitschko, it means chance to be cheered like a hero instead of applauded like an artist. It means a place in heavyweight history.

NOTES, QUOTES
· Floyd Mayweather Jr. said this week in New York that he never accused Pacquiao of using performance-enhancers. “I’ve never said that Manny Pacquiao was taking steroids, I never said he was taking enhancement drugs,” Mayweather said during a news conference for his Sept. 17 fight with Victor Ortiz. Huh? So what was Mayweather trying to say last September in his infamous YouTube rant? That’s when he said: “I’m gonna fight the Pacman when he’s off the power pellets.” What he meant by power and/or pellets figures to be a question he’d have to answer under oath if he shows up for a deposition in the defamation suit filed against him by Pacquiao. So far, he hasn’t. A district court judge this week denied Mayweather’s appeal for an order to prevent a court-ordered deposition.

· Memo to the International Boxing Hall of Fame: Put broadcaster Nick Charles on the next ballot for induction. Charles, who died June 25 after a long battle with cancer, earned a spot alongside journalists already in the Hall. It’s been a tough few weeks for boxing. In addition to Genaro Hernandez and Charles, the game lost former Hopkins trainer Bouie Fisher and former junior-welterweight champ Billy Costello. Fisher was 83; Costello 55.

· A sign of a boxing resurrection in Phoenix will include television cameras on July 8 for super-middleweight Jesus Gonzales (26-1, 14 KOs) against Henry Buchanan (20-2, 13 KOs) in a ring near the center of the floor at the Suns home, US Airways Center. ESPN2 will be there.

· And a sure sign you’re getting old: Happy Birthday, Mike Tyson. He turned 45 Thursday.

The much anticipated ‘Face Off’ feature for the huge Klitschko v Haye bout was aired last night on HBO in the US, and across Europe via the Internet early this morning. The excellent format of this mini-programme has proved a great success for recent Pay Per View fights of late, and is now a staple part any big fight build up. It is a crucial element in actually selling the event, but more importantly, showcasing possible physiological flaws or advantages in front of a large international audience. Last night’s episode was a superb advertisement for any mainstream fan wanting to buy the PPV, or even bother to watch it if you are an HBO subscriber.

The ever professional IBF/WBO king Wladimir Klitschko, and the ever so loud WBA champ David Haye crossed tongues, not swords, for approximately 13 minutes, half of which were spent silent as Klitschko visibly angry at Hayes wild and abusive comments, paused for thought, and at one point, looked ready to lick Haye in front of the confused Max Kellerman. The ‘Face Off’ for Bernard Hopkins (WBC Light Heavyweight champ) now history making defeat over Jean Pascal was an enthralling watch. If you have not already, pop onto Youtube and have a look, its TV at it’s best. The difference with Hopkins v Pascal ll, was the fact the story had been set 5 months previous to their rematch of May this year, when Hopkins rose from the canvas to score a hotly disputed draw with the Quebec based light heavyweight. The first bout had controversial scoring, flash knockdowns, and what many thought, an overall unsavory result courtesy of the loud and loyal Canadian crowd. Klitschko V Haye does not have that luxury, before it deals with the actual fight (which I hope turns out to be a Heavyweight classic), it must first try to generate genuine worldwide interest, and it could do without the comments that arose on last nights show. But then again it is the whole reason fans are going to purchase the fight. Trash talk sells, ask Mike Tyson.

The fight itself, is a blockbuster by any standards. A massive unification fight showcasing two heavyweights who probably have more critics than followers, but who still, are probably the biggest fighters in the sport bar Filipino sensation Manny Pacquaio and the now re-activated Floyd Mayweather. Both of the fighters mentioned above will share an eery similarity if they ever do meet in the ring. Klitschko V Haye has been on and off for about 3 years now. It was put together twice, and the ‘Hayemaker’ (25-1 (23 KO’s) even managed to put a fight together with Vitali Klitshcko in that time, only for it to be cancelled for him to fight the giant Nicolay Valuev for his WBA strap in 2009. Such a horrendous run of events for fans of both camps has soured the proceedings, although the fight now looks like it will sell big in Europe at least, as David Hayes antics will be splashed across tabloids for the 2 weeks running up to the fight. It works, do not get me wrong, it is one of the reasons I, and millions of others watch Boxing. You can get a build up to a football, soccer or cricket match/game, but nothing can equal the anticipation, excitement and intrigue of a big fight build up, and the hype that comes with it. Trash talk will always be a part of it, but it generally emanates from the US and the UK, you will hard pitched to find the following comments emit from, say a European fighter. Wladimir Klitschko (55-3 (49 KO’s) is the complete opposite to a David Haye, a Ricardo Mayorga, or a Floyd Mayweather to an extent. He possesses a diplomatic, calm, even statesman like demeanor, and is as famous in his homeland of Ukraine for his charity work, as the work he does with his fists.

That is what made watching the ‘Face Off’ episode so hard. You see, personally I do have an allegiance to the former undisputed cruiserweight champion fighting out of London, England. I grew up not far from where he still operates, and I grew up watching his fights both on the BBC, all the way up to his UK PPV’s against Monte Barrett, John Ruiz and Valuev, and of course the awful ‘event’ with Audley Harrison. This is a fighter who has cashed in his chips in a big way, and whom I view more of as a businessman than a global boxing star. You get the impression if he did lose come July 2nd, that it would not matter that much to him, as there will be around £20 million in the bank from this fight alone, not to mention the £5 million he earned against Harrison. Throw in the October retirement date, the fact Vitali will not be fighting him regardless of the outcome with his brother (Vitali Klitschko fights Tomasz Adamek on September 10th in Poland for a defence of his WBC belt), and you get the distinct impression that Haye is doing a runner to Hollywood with no conscience as soon as that cheque clears. One can only come to this conclusion when you add up how much money it costs to follow such a fighter. The PPV fees for a UK subscriber; around £100 if you had started watching him post 2008, after dismantling Enzo Maccarinelli inside 2 rounds at London’s 02 arena. We see the glitzy Hayemaker t-shirts, the phone applications, the constant bad press that circles him everywhere he goes, it just smacks of raking in all possible funds available, before a pre-determined retirement date that will deny his fans the fights they have always wanted to see. Haye is a great fighter, really he is. he is devastating and explosive when he fights. His speed and agility for such a small heavyweight is astonishing, his power and finesse is worth paying a fee to see, but after last nights showing, there really is a line. A lot of people fail to se the bigger picture, that they have been dragged along on a 4 year journey to this fight, which has seen him only score one convincing victory along the way. Barrett had him down, Ruiz was an old example of his former self, Audley Harrison, enough said. The Valuev fight was a great tactical masterpiece, but that was a t a cost of missing out on him fighting both bothers back in 2008-2009.

Max Kellerman, host of HBO: face Off “What do you think of Wladimir Klitschko, David?” He’s a dickhead”. Probably the most stupid of all insults someone can throw at another human being. Its something that lacks intelligence, is cringe-worthy and childish. I mean it does not even make sense, well it makes money sense. This attitude definitely taps into that mainstream market of UK fans, the football/soccer heads who have no sport for the next 2 months, and will have been bored stupid by tennis for the last month or so. It is without doubt, the sporting event of the summer in Europe, its a huge fight, and if either win, you could argue it will be a career defining victory. Unfortunately for Haye, what little amount of fans he had outside of the UK, he would of lost them last night. I am not sure our fans or even media know the extent of how much Haye is derided and ridiculed outside his homeland, and in boxing circles. He is a bad advert for British boxing as a whole. It is not about whether you need to sell your PPV, and you need to generate support, its about the integrity of the sport, and most importantly how you represent your nation. It is bad enough that HBO are airing this ‘fight of the year’ for free as they are seriously not keen on David Haye, Vitali Klitschko or Wladimir for that matter. They never will be. Hardcore boxing fans are really excited about this fight, it could be an all time great, but someone is getting knocked out in 2 weeks, that much is academic. If it is to be Haye who is the victim, then he will never be able to repair what is left of his legacy on the international stage, last night was pretty much the last throw of the dice. Sure, he will remain popular amongst his fan base, he probably will become an actor as he has always wished, and will still be on peoples TV’s as the man who used to box. But amongst true boxing fans, he will be remembered for his bad PR stunts and lack of his respect for his opponents, in what still is the quintessential gentlemans sport.

Aside from the obvious negativity surrounding Haye’s comments, Klitschko did not have much to say. For the most part, he let Haye take the lead, and at one stage stayed silent for at least a minute, looked visibly seething at the Londoners comments. If Klitschko is to win this fight, he has to remain focused and not get sucked into the Hayemakers gameplan. It may look like the Englishman has the physiological advantage if you check out the clip on HBO/Youtube now, but that was recorded 6 weeks ago. Since then, Klitschko has been received very well in the UK, in particular his interviews on prime time SKY and BBC news shows have shown who he is and what he is about, and to be frank, none of it was bad press. He fits the bill perfectly for the actual marketing of the fight. Haye assumes the bad guy role, and Wlad remains placid, choosing not to engage in the childish antics such as the infamous decapitation t-shirts and video games that have preceded the build up to the 2 fights, one of which Haye pulled out of due due to an ‘injury’. Although, his UK TV contract with the broadcaster Setanta went under the same week, leaving him without a cable TV platform. (Brief history of Klitschko v Haye if you did not know before. You can probably now see why the Germany based fighter is so aggrieved and agitated when discussing David Haye). If Wladimir does get sucked into the mind games, then he loses his focus, his game plan and all of his training is out of the window, and he reverts back to the Klitschko bother who has been knocked out on 3 occasions, all before 2004 mind.

Wlad is trained by the legendary Kronk founder, Emmanuel Steward, although it is not an orthodox fighter-trainer relationship that exists between the two. Only last week, Klitschko appeared to be slightly negative, when discussing how they work together. Something along the lines of ‘I decide how I fight, not Emmanuel.’ It may of been misinterpreted, but it is a fact that ‘Dr Steelhamer’ has suffered devastating KO losses in the past, to Corrie Sanders in 2003 (knocked down 3 times before being rescued by the referee in round 2) and the to Lamon Brewster only 1 year later, going out on a TKO in round 5. He is nowhere nearly as careless these days, choosing to operate a safety based approach which is somewhat derided by some boxing fans, and is the reason HBO will not buy into the Heavyweight division anymore. Ask HBO president Ross Greenburg for clarification. Such a view is ignorant and ill founded, its just a fact of national interest. If he is not American/Mexican we are not interested, that kind of thing. Klitschko has the most devastating jab in modern heavyweight history, and when needed, KO’s his victims in a seriously bad way. He pummeled the likes of Samuel peter, Hasim Rahman, Ruslan Chagaev and Eddie Chambers within the distance, and to be honest has rarely been in trouble since he lost to Sanders all those years ago. He is a legit pound for pound fighter, but you could argue, his resume is as flawed as Haye’s. Do not forget that Klitschko pulled out on Britain’s Dereck Chisora, twice, whilst trying to make the fight with Haye happen. Chisora was never a worthy opponent, and was merely tossed to the gutter on both occasions, a pawn in this immensely tiring set of negotiations to make the bout. Still, Wlad is a classy boxer, but can be exposed, and if he fights with his heart, not his head, which Haye literally is begging him to do, then he loses.

Its an intriguing fight nonetheless. 50/50, not in the sense that they are evenly poised and matched, they both have contrasting attributes, strengths and styles, it just depends on who wins the mind games, and who enters the ring focused on one thing, winning. Nothing personally, just getting the job done, and achieving the sole goal of the fight, to win. Adam Booth, David Hayes trainer and manager, pulled off a stunning tactical victory when his boy George Groves defeated the highly rated Olympic medalist James de Gale only last month. There seems to be a great confidence omitting from Team Haye over this fight, and there is much talk of a so called ‘masterplan’ that will defeat Klitschko easily. I feel it is common sense, that Haye is betting all of his chips that he has dragged Klitschko far enough out of his comfort zone to want to go to war with him, and that he has to knock him out early. It can be done, and I feel probably will be done if it works, that is how important last nights Face Off was, the early suggestion is that David Haye is getting the upper hand on Wlad Klitschko, and his Ali-esque tactics have wound him up enough to want to kill him. I wonder if Haye will try and fight southpaw, or will it be a similar fight to when he picked away at Valuev, and stole a decision in Germany. I doubt a Decision of any kind is up for debate, especially as Wladimir so adored there. Haye has to win big, to save his reputation and prove he belongs with the Heavy weight greats. Either way, the damage to Haye’s standing on the global stage and his legacy in the sport is done, lets just pray that Wladimir is not bluffing though, as someone is going to end up with Pizza on their face. On PPV to. Food for thought.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, IBF/WBO Heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko and WBA Champion David Haye will finally meet on July 2nd in Hamburg, Germany.

“We are very glad that this mega-fight will finally come true,” Bernd Boente, Klitschko’s manager, said Wednesday. “We expect more than 150 TV stations worldwide to show the fight live or on a delay. Klitschko vs. Haye is definitely one of the top highlights in sport.”

“Also, Hamburg is the second-biggest city in Germany after Berlin, so you have a huge potential fan base and the stadium is one a new stadium built just a few years ago,” Boente said. “We are sure that because of the city and the stadium that we will have a sellout crowd.”

“I am very happy that Haye finally dares to step into the ring with me,” Klitschko, 35, said. “He already ducked out of two fights with me and Vitali and is only trash-talking and producing stupid shirts. Now he has to prove in the ring what he has got. I have been waiting for this fight for over two years.”

Said the 30-year-old Haye: “I always said I would knock out Wladimir, get his belts and will then finish up his brother Vitali to end my career on the peak. Wladimir has only fought wimps and cowards so far. I will show him his limitations and what it is like to fight a real champion. That is a promise.”

“I’m very excited about it because it’s eventually time to make it happen. Finally. But it’s not matter of fact that David Haye will show up on July 2,” Klitschko said. “But I hope he will. We will face each other a couple of times at press conferences and I am a little bit worried about it because he is putting so much pressure on himself. He’s consistently putting himself in a corner and now the action has to follow. Now he has to follow through with all the promises.”

“I am completely recovered and I have been cleared by the doctor, so I am ready to go,” Klitschko said. “I can train now, but it’s early. I do will do the same preparation I always do. I’m, of course, taking this fight like any other fight –seriously. I know exactly what to expect from him and what to do with him. My game plan has not changed since I was preparing to fight him in June 2009. To me nothing has changed.”

Then Klitschko unveiled his dry wit: “To make it more clear, I am going to fight David Haye. After the clearance from the doctor, David Haye will get his wish to fight the younger, weaker Klitschko, as he says. It is his dream come true.”

“This will be the second heavyweight unification fight that we have promoted. The first was between Wladimir and Ibragimov at a sold out Madison Square Garden, but this fight between Wladimir and Haye is on a totally different level,” said Tom Loeffler, the managing director of Klitschko’s K2 Promotions. “It has been talked about for the last two years and now is the premiere event in boxing. The Klitschkos are the only boxers that can regularly fill the large soccer stadiums in Europe and the Imtech Arena in Hamburg is a great venue

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, Heavyweight champions Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko will each fight anticipated bouts in the coming months.

Wladimir will defend his IBF/WBO and Ring Magazine world championships against WBA champ David Haye on either June 25th or July 2nd in a bout that has been brewing for a couple of years while Vitali will defend his WBC strap against Tomasz Adamek providing Adamek gets by Kevin McBride this Saturday in Newark, New Jersey.

“It’s pretty simple: Wladimir was the first one in 2009 who wanted to face Haye after Haye attacked him first, verbally in London at a press conference for a charity cause,” said Klitschko manager Bernd Boente. “From the beginning it was always going in that direction. From the contract side it’s possible it could change but, as of now, they made the decision between themselves.”

There still remains a possibility that Vitali (42-2, 39 KOs), who is coming off a first-round knockout of mandatory challenger Odlanier Solis on March 19, will also fight June 4 against an opponent to be determined in Germany.

“Maybe Vitali will fight then, but it depends on the TV situation in Germany,” Boente said.

“It will be Wladimir fighting Haye and Vitali is fighting Adamek, but Adamek has to win or he’s out,” Boente said.

Boente and Adam Booth, Haye’s manager and trainer, were in New York last week meeting with American television executives about deals for the U.S. rights to the fights. HBO is the likely outlet, Boente said.

“There is interest in America but, in the end, my gut feeling tells me HBO is the station,” Boente said. “Last week we went to HBO, to Epix and to Showtime. It’s not written in stone, but I think we are back in business with HBO.”

“June 25 or July 2, but it really depends on the stadium deal,” Boente said. “We are still not sure which one it will be in. It could still be outside of Germany, but it has to be agreed on by Adam Booth and myself. This is a true 50-50 deal.”

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, the much anticipate Heavyweight championship between recognized world champion Wladimir Klitschko and David Haye appears to have been finalized.

More than two years in the making — thanks to Haye’s constant verbal trashing of Klitschko and his older brother, fellow titlist Vitali Klitschko — the fight will take place either June 25 or July 2, both sides said.

However, it is not signed yet.

“It’s 99 percent,” Bernd Boente, Klitschko’s manager, told ESPN.com Sunday. “This week it will be finally signed and also announced. But it is not signed.

“We will sign it very soon. There are no question marks anymore,” Boente said. “The fighters have to sign. [Haye manager/trainer] Adam Booth has to sign. I have to sign. Wladimir [has to sign]. As long as it’s not signed, it’s 99 percent.”

“I am really pleased that we have closed a deal on this fight,” Klitschko told the Welt am Sonntag newspaper.

“The terms were right, it’s a fair deal — it’s a 50-50 split. That’s what they wanted and that’s what I wanted,” Haye told the BBC. “Here it is — end of June, beginning of July. Let’s get ready to rumble.”

“It will be in a European time zone, but England is out,” Boente said. “It could be one of three different stadiums in Germany. We also have three options outside of Germany. All these things will be discussed A to Z between Adam and myself.

“In the contract we have a paragraph that we do all of these things together because that is what is best,” he added. “Adam will be involved in the stadium deal. We will also talk to American TV stations HBO and Showtime. It could also be on pay-per-view in the U.S. if we can’t find an agreement.”

“The points are agreed to, and I think both sides are happy,” Boente said. “No options, no rematches. One fight. If we want to do another one and sit down afterward and see if it makes sense, we will do that. But this is a straight one-fight deal. It’s obvious that if there is public interest in another fight, it will probably come.”

“Our contract with Chisora says if someone is injured — Wladimir still is — there is no fight,” Boente said. “It is the same injury from December, and it has not healed properly. So the April fight is off, but June or July, that is different. I can only tell you the truth. That is what the doctor said.

“The doctor checked Wladimir and said it is not possible to fight April 30. Why should anybody question it? However it looks, I can only tell you this is the truth and he is one of the top doctors in Germany.”

“Knock on wood, nothing happens. Vitali has to win his fight in two weeks against Solis, which is a very tough fight,” Boente said. “If he comes out of that fight, he is also a possibility. In the contract it says Vitali or Wladimir.”

“Haye is now willing to fight Vitali,” Boente said. “I think it will be Wladimir to face Haye, but it’s not a precondition from Adam Booth or David Haye. In these negotiations they were very flexible. David said he was also willing to fight Vitali, which is different than last time. I think all sides acted as real gentlemen. That is why we reached the goal this time.”

“We had this door open all the time,” Boente said. “Haye walked away last time because Wladimir was going to fight Chisora. But Wladimir was always willing to fight Haye in July if they came back to talk again. They did that.”

Dan Rafael of espn.com is reporting that talks have broken down for a proposed spring bout between recognized Heavyweight champion and WBA Heavyweight champion David Haye. Klitshcko will now defend his title against Derek Chisora, who Klitshcko was supposed to defend against until Klitschko pulled out with a rib injury.

“I am very happy that we have found a new date for the fight so quickly,” Klitschko said. “Chisora insulted me many times and that is why I still have unfinished business with him. He is a very good boxer but as a person he is a loser. Like I had [planned] in December, I will now teach him a lesson at the end of April.”

Still, Klitschko’s manager Bernd Boente said he was confident the Klitschko-Haye fight will eventually be made.

“I’m pretty sure the fight will happen. I’m very positive about it,” he said. “We were close with all the details. It was really a question about the date and venue. We always have to bring RTL and Sky together as our main TV partners and then go from there. We hadn’t gotten into details about U.S. TV, but that would have been HBO or Showtime, and I would prefer Showtime.”

“We wanted to do the fight April 30 with Haye. We had two stadiums available in Germany, and coming to Germany was not a problem for Haye,” Boente said. “They only wanted neutral officials, judges, referee, all that. That is no problem. We agreed on all the points, but the major issue was Sky was not willing to do a second pay-per-view in April.”

Junior welterweight titlist Amir Khan is slated to fight April 16 in England on Sky Box Office, even though he does not have a set opponent.

“We asked them to change the Khan date, maybe move it back to May, but they didn’t want to do that,” Boente said.

“We couldn’t find a date after April, not in May or June,” Boente said. “Either there was no date for RTL or Sky or a stadium [because of the heavy soccer schedule]. We couldn’t believe it, but that’s Sky’s decision. April 30 was the perfect date for RTL and for a stadium, but Sky never has done two pay-per-views in one month. Klitschko-Haye would be a way bigger pay-per-view event [than Khan].”

Boente said the earliest date for the fight they could come up with that matched the networks and venue availability was July 2.

Both sides were willing to fight on that date, Boente said. However, he said that the Haye and manager/trainer Adam Booth refused to allow Klitschko to take the April 30 interim fight with Chisora.

“They would not accept that, but Wladimir was not willing to wait another six months and have it be 10 months since his last fight against Sam Peter [in September],” Boente said.

“I think the fight will come, but too bad it’s not now because of the date and venue,” Boente said. “We could still do it if they would agree to July 2. We still have the door open for that, but Wladimir is going to have a fight in April. Haye can also do a fight in between, maybe the mandatory with Ruslan Chagaev. We are not opposed to that.”

“This news is a fantastic late Christmas present,” the 27-year-old Chisora said. “I always believed that I would fight Klitschko, and my faith has been repaid. I was a bit worried that he might try and fight an easier touch, but I think I’ve earned my opportunity. I was gutted when Wladimir pulled out of our fight just a couple of days beforehand. But now I’ve got another chance to take his titles away. He’s a great world champion, but his time at the top is well and truly up.

“My promoter, Frank Warren, has done a great job in getting me this opportunity because there was no guarantee Wladimir would fight me again after he got injured.”

In my experience as a boxing fan and historian I’ve never witnessed such a poor excuse for a World heavyweight championship fight, I felt ashamed to call this a fight, it was more of a farce as it happens!

Audley Harrison’s effort or should that be lack of has earned him the number one position of the worst ever title challenger in a World championship fight and I mean any World championship fight, I felt sorry for myself having just paid out 95 for almost nine minutes of a non event, but more so for the high rollers who paid 50 yes that’s right the best part of two thousand pounds for a disgraceful fight if you could call it a fight that is?
Sure there’s been poor displays from some fairly inept challengers through the history of the big men, Puerto Rico’s Joe Roman was brutally outclassed by the fists of George Foreman inside of a round in Japan in 73, Liston it was claimed threw the ‘fight’ against Ali in 65 and so forth but Audley Harrison on this showing has topped that list, to think they call him A Force, surely after this they should rename him A Fraud!

So enough of my rant, let’s read about the so called fight, shall we….?
Coming into the ring to a chorus of boo’s I mean Audley came in decked in a red t shirt about saving some adventure playground, Haye the champion was given a better welcome.
Haye outweighed by just over three stones {43lbs} looked much the smaller man despite being just two inches the shorter, as the paying public anticipated the outcome and that Harrison always had the proverbial punchers chance, sure the tangibles were there though David was much the more fancied going into this his second defense of the W.B.A heavyweight title.
Both to begin with did very little though Audley pressured to begin with as he came forward but Haye soon had Audley backing off with the odd attempt of a punch that failed to land and has soon as forty or so seconds had elapsed into the round the knowledgeable few began to boo both combatants, which I felt was a little premature and unfair, Haye to his credit threw a two punch combination to silence the few impatient fans, and a roar went up, but it didn’t last long!
Thing is one minute had elapsed, then yep you guessed it two minutes as neither boxer threw a punch that landed and even when they did throw which was a rarity in itself they missed or fell short has both looked far too cautious and then the bell rang to conclude the worst three minutes in the whole history of the World heavyweight championship in my opinion, I felt disgusted to even call this interesting but hey give the guys a chance, the usual feeling out process is all very well in the opener but you expect to see at least one of two meaningful punches land, sadly neither party wanted to dance!
So to the second but yet again both Audley and David did anything other than spar for a opening and it wasn’t pretty, again unbelievably neither was willing to take the initiative, it was dismal plain and simple and yep you guessed it right again, no body threw a punch and to think people call the Klitskco’s boring is rather unjust when you watch fights like this, at least they do show a little work rate.
If British heavyweights through boxing history have been called the horizontal heavy, then it’s bad enough seeing them just stand there and look at each other, no body was willing to do anything and I mean anything, even the third man Luis Pabon called for more action and to think they billed this one as ‘the best of enemies’ it seemed they were really the best of friends! by now within eighteen seconds of the second stanza the crowd began a slow hand clap…..oh dear!
Then Haye after a minute or so of inactivity finally threw a right hand that had Harrison on the retreat with his hands up, though Haye landed with a cuffing right hand shot that had very little power behind it, before both went into retirement mode again, however Haye did manage to land a decent straight right to Audley’s midsection about several seconds later but again both went to sleep and after almost a minute and a half into the round Ref Pablon called for them to get busy! Haye did in the last thirty or so seconds but landed with half hearted shots has he simply wasn’t setting himself properly, Audley seemed content to just cover up and get on the move……..the crowd booed some more at the bell to end another fruitless session, both were tarnishing the heavyweight championship, a belt that Mssr’s Johnson, Louis, Marciano and Ali had once held with pride, was now becoming something of a joke!
Oh yeah sorry meant to say Audley did actually land a straight southpaw jab to Haye’s handsome countenance in the second, sorry it was so boring it was hard to keep track!
So to the third and Harrison met Haye center ring, Haye cockily had his left hand slightly extended as if he was using it as a measure to Harrison’s chin, Harrison tried the odd punch but couldn’t find the target, after fifty seconds of unequaled boredom Haye finally came too life and threw a combination beginning with a succession of rights that had Audley backing away to the ropes where Haye punctuated it with a two handed body attack, again both looked each other over and then Haye exploded a two punch combination with a solid right that landed to Harrison’s chin before getting out of harms way, literally seconds later a series of right hands caught the bigger Harrison on the ropes that sent him spinning around, before Haye launched a series of right hands that found the target starting with a big right to the body before bringing the attack to Audley’s head has he cowered on the ropes and seemed to be here to make up the numbers, a series of straight rights pierced Harrison’s high guard before Haye unleashed right uppercuts and started to catch Harrison around the side of the head with more rights that had Audley dazed, a final combination sent Harrison over for the count as he fell forwards and rolled onto his back, Audley was almost a pathetic sight as he got too all fours and made it to his feet at the count of eight, the referee Pablon put Audley’s gum shield back in as though he was prolonging Audley’s agony, Haye like a tiger patiently waited in the corner and wasn’t to let victory out of his sights as he went in for the finish rushing across the ring trapping Audley and not allowing him off the ropes and with both hands flailing, a left hook and a few right hooks had Harrison wobbling again but the third man Pablon had seen enough and saved Audley the embarrassment of a second visit to the canvas in as many seconds as he rightfully waved it off, Audley still erect but badly wobbled stopped at 1:52 of the third.
Haye did the job but seemed too cautious in my opinion and it was beginning to stink out the joint, in the post fight interview David spoke of the brothers but on this performance Haye should really reconsider such a task, beating Audley Harrison’s one thing but in against either brother would be a far tougher proposition, as Harrison spoke of possibly giving it another go!
THIS WASN’T BOXING, THIS WAS BORING!

Any comments to micksnice@aol.com

Boxing and decorum have always been strangers, but even by standards of a sport without one, the last seven days have been staggering.

Within a week, Floyd Mayweather Jr. and David Haye managed to offend more people than Mike Tyson did at the height of his ear-splitting rage. First, Mayweather offended all of Asia with his racist video Friday about Manny Pacquiao. Then, Haye offended women Tuesday at a London news conference by saying his heavyweight bout with Audley Harrison on November 13 would be “as one-sided as a gang-rape.’’

Somehow, Mayweather and Haye didn’t include middle-aged white guys or the handicapped, but they’ll get around to both sooner than later if their recent capacity to offend most of the people on this planet is any indication.

I’m not sure who is more offensive, Mayweather or Haye. You decide. Mayweather’s problems might just be starting with news Thursday that Las Vegas police want to question him about domestic battery alleged by the mother of three of his children, former girlfriend Josie Harris, who said she lied about a Mayweather assault in 2005. On Thursday, he was a suspect. Tomorrow or next week, law enforcement may get answers that will clear Mayweather.

In the court of public opinion, however, suspicions will stay with Mayweather like a scar. His video went viral in the worst way. It has infected his career and, to a lesser degree, the sport which he says he defines. In the public mind, Haye’s remark about a gang-rape raises the disgust by another outrageous octave or two. You can hear what people are thinking: What’s wrong with these guys? You can also anticipate their next move: That sport won’t be getting my pay-per-view money.

Speaking of money, Mayweather might as well be amending his nickname to Money Lost. In calling Pacquiao “a yellow chump,’’ maybe he was trying to call the Filipino gutless. But it is safe to say that any Asian will hear it and think only of a racial slur, no matter how many times Mayweather apologizes. The only chump here is Mayweather, who knocked out any chance he might have had at a rich endorsement from a Chinese company.

What Mayweather, the self-proclaimed face of boxing, and Haye fail realize is the potential devastation left in the wake of their attempt at some headline-grabbing rage. Boxing, once an American pastime and now mere nostalgia, is increasingly sustained by international interest. Sorry Floyd, but Pacquiao is the face of that market. The Filipino Congressman also knows not to offend it. Publicly, at least, Pacquiao did not express outrage at the Mayweather video. He was smart not to. Wade into that cesspool, and he’d only get dirty.

What’s more, it was a further display of Pacquiao’s consistent respect for opponents in game that sometimes is a clash of cultures. After beating one Mexican hero after another, Pacquiao was the first to ask that, please, don’t call him The Mexican Assassin.

Pacquiao still might get a chance to take Asia’s collective rage out on Mayweather in a fight that increasingly seems unlikely. If Mayweather hasn’t been talking himself out of it, he is talking the public into looking somewhere else for an event without the ugly edges, which now includes an unapologetic Haye and – as of Thursday – Mayweather as a police suspect.

Mayweather is unbeaten. Haye has been beaten only once. But a D should be attached to each of their records. We’re not talking about a draw here. With some luck, the damage in that D will be limited to only Dumb and Dumber.

NOTES, QUOTES

· Oscar De La Hoya says junior welterweight Saul “Canelo” Alvarez gets rock star-like television ratings in his hometown, Guadalajara, and throughout Mexico. A rock star deserves a big stage and it sounds as if that’s exactly where Alvarez wants to be after his date on Sept. 18 with Carlos Baldomir at Staples Center in Los Angeles on the Shane Mosley-Sergio Moro card. “This fight has me so motivated, so hungry for the bigger fights, that I’m talking a little bit,’’ said Alvarez, who during a conference call asked De La whether the winner of the Baldomir bout would get a title fight. De La Hoya sounded as though he was taken aback by Alvarez’s bold query. Said De La Hoya: “We’ll just have to wait and see what happens.’’

· Jose Benavidez Jr. (7-0, 7 KOs), a junior-welterweight prospect from Phoenix, stays busy Saturday night against Manuel Delcid (4-2) of Los Angeles on the Yuriorkis Gamboa-Orlando Salido card at The Palms in Las Vegas. Benavidez had been scheduled to fight Sept. 18 on the Rafael Marquez-Juan Manuel Lopez card, which was postponed until November by a hand injury sustained by Marquez. The promising Benavidez, who turned 18 in May, is still at the apprenticeship stage, which figures to proceed without interruption against Delcid, who lost his last bout and 1-2 over his last three.

European Cruiserweight Champion Enzo Maccarinelli 32-4(25) will look to make the first defence of his title against unbeaten Ukrainian Alexander Frenkel on the bumper 18 September show in Birmingham, England. Back in 2006 Maccarinelli was a young world champion with an entertaining style he would make 4 successful defence’s of the WBO strap before losing it in a bragging rights unification shootout with David Haye. It seemed to send his career into a tailspin when he lost two in a row in a bad 2009. While many fighters would opt to retire not Maccarinelli he decided against getting a day job, rededicated himself going back to basics. After two feel your way back wins both in the first round he was left with a decision to fight in Prizefighter for more money, against weaker opposition or fight for the vacant European crown which though more prestigious would be in Russia against Alexander Kotlobay. After deliberating it with promoter Frank Warren, Maccarinelli decided no guts no glory going for the jugular heading to Russia where he demolished Kotlobay in 135 seconds of the opening round. Maccarinelli hopes to get an impressive victory over Frenkel that would propel him into a muted Cruiserweight Super 6. Here’s what Big Macc had to say ahead of the fight.

Hello Enzo, welcome to 15rounds.com

Anson Wainwright – Firstly you will be making your first defence of the European Cruiserweight title against Alexander Frenkel. What are your thoughts on Frankel? How good do you think he is?

Enzo Maccarinelli – Yeah obviously he’s good. He’s got a good record, good knock out record. I’ve seen the boys he’s been fighting they haven’t been up to much i’ll be honest but he’s taken care of them. He beat what’s in front of him but i’m in a totally different kettle of fish to what he’s faced.

Anson Wainwright – Your fight takes place on the massive 18 September Birmingham show. What are your thoughts on appearing on that card?

Enzo Maccarinelli – Yeah to be honest it doesn’t really bother me if i’m honest. I’m in this for myself, it’s not a team sport. But you’ve got to give some kudos to Frank Warren for putting on a show like this. It’s got to be the most stacked 50-50 fights for British Boxing for many years. I think it’ll be a fantastic night of boxing and i’m sure everyone will play a part in making it a great night.

Anson Wainwright – Over the past few years you’ve changed several things in your team having left the Calzaghe stable, who are you trained by now? Also who is your manager & promoter? What gym do you train at?

Enzo Maccarinelli – Yeah i train with Karl Ince he does pads with me. A conditioner Chris Ware for fitness and an old trainer from when i was younger Derek who’s just pushing me. I’ve gone back to basics. I’ve left all the weights alone, which i’ve done over the last couple of years. Plenty of running, plenty of Boxing, plenty of sparring. I’m in London, I’ve sparred with Derek Chisora this week. Everything is going well. My manager & promoter is Frank Warren. I train over my dad’s gym where it all started, like i say i’ve gone back to basics, i train at home. The place that i grew up and made me. It’s a little tin shed in Swansea, it’s boiling in the summer & freezing in the winter. But it’s what i call my second home. It’s relight the fire inside me.

Anson Wainwright -From your point of view what made your decide to leave the Calzaghe’s and how are things between you now?

Enzo Maccarinelli – It’s all amicable. I gave them my reason’s why i left. I speak to Joe all the time. I speak to Enzo all the time. There’s no animosity at all with me leaving at all. When Joe retired Enzo lost some of his love for the game, he wouldn’t admit it at the time but i think he would now. It was just something i had to do. I don’t hold grudges there’s no grudges to hold. I’m very close to Joe, i’m very close to Enzo.

Anson Wainwright -Obviously Frenkel is a very real test for you, but all being well I’m sure you want to get back on the World stage. What is your plan of attack?

Enzo Maccarinelli – I want that world title back again. I’m in this for no other reason. When i lost to Lebedev and Afolabi i lost to boys who a couple of years ago wouldn’t of touched me. But i lost. I’m not making excuses, i’m not saying it wasn’t me. I prepared wrong for both of them fights, they prepared right they won, preparation is key. But the thing was i knew what i did wrong. Especially after the Lebedev fight i was embarrassed not because i lost because of the way i performed. It was upto me to either sit in the house and think of a new career or carry on and do the sport i love. Obviously here i am. Everyone gave me no hope what so ever going to Russia. I smashed the boy up. I did exactly what i said i was going to do. It was no lucky shot. I said it was going to be over in two rounds and it was the first!

Anson Wainwright -What are your thoughts on the current state of the Cruiserweight division? Where do you feel you fit in to things?

Enzo Maccarinelli – I fit in there. I feel i can beat any Cruiserweight on the planet bar none. As long as i prepare right, as long as i turn up right on the night. I think it’ll be a hard man to beat me. It’s a good division with good fighters. I’d place Steve Cunningham at the top he’s been around a long time he shows no sign of slowing down. Me and Krzysztof Wlodarczyk, Marco Huck would be a cracking fights. I’ve heard rumours of Super 6’s in all division’s so that would be something i’d love to do. But i’m not taking nothing for granted Alexander Frenkel is a dangerous opponent. I’m training as hard as ever. My weight is fine, i’m under weight already, i’m fit as a fiddle. I could do 12 rounds tomorrow. It’s just a matter of not going over the top.

Anson Wainwright – You touched on the Cruiserweight Super 6 which has been mentioned, what are your thoughts on that?

Enzo Maccarinelli – It would be fantastic. It would definitely be something i’d like to do. If i can put on something spectacular against Frenkel then maybe i could earn my way in there, that would be ideal for me, I’d be more than happy. It would be a fantastic tournament at the end of the day after Seven or so fights you find out who the number one is.

Anson Wainwright -You went into the Lions den so to speak last time out when you won the European title, was that a case of you having to win as a loss would of put you in a very difficult place?

Enzo Maccarinelli – Yeah that’s the way i see every fight from now on. When i lost to Lebedev i changed a few things, i didn’t feel anything i did in training was right. But maybe I didn’t have the hunger, but i went along with it, i knew it wasn’t right. I lost i thought i’m going to give it one last crack, i know i can still do it. I’m going to do it my way so if it F&!$’s up it’s all on me. I had that offer to go to Russia and it was either that or Prizefighter. On paper Prizefighter was a lot easier, i’d get paid a lot more money to win Prizefighter. But the rewards were more (For the European Title). Some journalists said it was the best performance by a British fighter on foreign soil in many a year. Nothing hindered me, i spoke to Frank Warren he offered me Prizefighter or the European title. I said which one do you want me to take? He said he’d like me to fight for the European, that was enough for me. I told them all i’d knock him out and that’s exactly what i did.

Anson Wainwright -The biggest fight of your career to date was the David Haye unification. Looking back what are your thoughts on that fight? Was it a case of him just being to big for you?

Enzo Maccarinelli – No not at all. If you watch the fight i hit him in the first round, i didn’t take my chance. He did in the second round. It was a matter of who landed the cleanest (Punch) first. He landed a few times in the first round. But the second round he caught me and finished the job, all credit to him. But after that fight i tried to change things but i just came up against a better boy that night.

Anson Wainwright -After the Haye fight you seemed to be on the way down losing to Afolabi & Lebedev. What happened at that time and how have you turned the corner now?

Enzo Maccarinelli – It was basically when i lost to Ola Afolabi i was winning every round but i was absolutely exhausted from the second round. If you see the fights from before like the first Hobson fight i’ll fight to the finish. Against Afolabi was exausted, I was quite surprised i lasted 8 rounds i’ll be honest. He caught me in the 8th but lets be honest people say about my chin but that would of knock out a Heavyweight. Some people say it was a lucky punch, it was nothing to do with luck. I was absolutely shattered, I threw a lazy jab, he threw it with everything he had into the punch. I changed trainers i went to Bolton with Karl Ince who still works with me. But when i first went with Karl he tried too hard to do everything too correct. I brought in one of the best strength and conditioner trainers in the world to make me do this make me do that. It just didn’t feel right for me. It was to much emphasis on rest and recovery not enough on ridiculous hard work which is what i have always been used to. I went back to Swansea, i didn’t like being away from the kids. I know you need to make sacrifices. But i didn’t like being away from them for all that time, i don’t know if it effected me. But back home in Swansea everyday i see my kids it gave me strength. I’ve gone back to the old tin shed i grew up in. It’s relight the flames i’m in love with Boxing again after i fell out of love with it.

Anson Wainwright -If it wasn’t for Boxing what do you think you’d be doing for a living?

Enzo Maccarinelli – I don’t know. My dad grew me to be a fighter. There’s pictures of me at 3 years old in the gym hitting the bag. Obviously i don’t know what i was doing but i’m hitting the bag. My dad just wanted me to be a fighter. I was good in school, very good but all my reports say the same Enzo wont be one of our brightest pupils he wont try hard because for some reason he thinks he’s going to be a World Champion boxer! Haha it was nice to go back to present awards as a World Champion boxer.

Anson Wainwright – Though your still young what do you think you’d like to do after your Boxing career?

Enzo Maccarinelli – Only one thing i want to do, train boys. I train boys 3 days a week at my dad’s amateur gym. The night i won the European title i had a call off my dad congratulating me. But we had a young boy 17, just gone to the World Youth Championship’s without much experience but won his first fight by 10 points against a top boy. I’m trying to explain to people i was just as happy for him as i was for myself but they don’t get that. How close i am with all these kids in the gym. I’m telling you i have 4/5 boys who are definitely going to go on and do something.

Anson Wainwright -Finally do you have a message for Alexander Frenkel ahead of your fight?

Enzo Maccarinelli – No i don’t have any message just be prepared. He’s shooting his mouth off saying he’s going to knock me out and go site seeing. He wont have to go far, I’ll meet him in the centre of that ring and i guarantee i’ll be the first person to hit him back and he’ll know what it’s like to be hit by Big Macc!

Thanks for your time Enzo, good luck on the 18 September

Anson Wainwright
15rounds.com

Last month via a popular social networking site, WBO, IBF, RING and IBO Heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko issued a challenge to his WBA counterpart David Haye. The pair were due to fight last year, but Haye pulled out of the fight due to a back injury. Haye would later enter talks with Wladimir’s older brother and holder of the WBC title Vitali, but pulled out or talks to fight the then WBA champion Nikolai Valuev. Haye would go on to earn a close decision against in Nürnberg, Germany.
The video message in which he accused Haye of ducking him and his brother, Wladimir thundered “David, you’ve bitched out on fighting both Klitschko brothers twice already and now is the time to make it happen.” He went on to say “On behalf of the boxing fans around the world, I am officially calling you out to fight me, you can’t run away from me forever and you need to follow through with this fight to get respect. I’m ready, what are you waiting for?” Shortly after the video message from Wladimir, Haye confirmed that trainer and manager Adam Booth is set for negotiations with the Brothers, who are based in Germany. Haye revealed “After a meeting on Thursday I will know more, But until then, I’ll leave Adam to it. I’m relaxing and enjoying myself now.” However he did not specify which brother he would face.

In his last outing Haye (24-1 22KO’s) stopped the tough American two time WBA title holder John Ruiz in the 9th round. Dropping him in the 1st, 5thand 6th rounds. Haye nicknamed the Hayemaker for his punching power has only had three fights at heavyweight stopping gatekeeper Monte Barrett in five rounds. Followed by a fight with the seven foot giant Nikolai Valuev where he captured the WBA world title. Before his step up to heavyweight, Haye was the undisputed cruiserweight champion. Scoring a 7th round TKO over Jean Marc Mormeck in 2007 to capture the WBA and WBC cruiserweight titles. Four months later he went on to destroy the WBO title holder Enzo Maccarinelli in two lop sided rounds. The only blip on the Londoners record came against the tough Carl Thompson (who holds two victories over Chris Eubank) back in 2004. After stopping Haye in the 5th round, Thompson retired twelve months later.

Wladimir (54-3 48KO’s) has three losses on his record the last one coming in 2004 a KO against Lamon Brewster For the vacant WBO title. Strangely enough all three of his losses were stoppage losses. The others being a 2nd round TKO against Corrie Sanders and an 11th round TKO way back in 1998 to journeyman Ross Puritty. Since the 2004 loss to Brewster, Wlad has notched up a twelve fight winning streak earning him the WBO, IBF, Ring and IBO titles. His most recent victories coming against Eddie Chambers, Ruslan Chagaev, Hasim Rahman, Tony Thompson, Sultan Ibragimov, and a rematch against his last conqueror Lamon Brewster, who he retired in the 6th round. Wladimir is widely regarded as the man to beat at heavyweight closely followed by his older brother Vitali.

The eldest of the Klitschko’s, WBC king Vitali (39-2 37KO’s) had his last outing against Kevin Johnson in December 2009, winning a wide unanimous decision. A pretty rare thing for Vitali, who sports the highest KO ratio of any heavyweight champion in history currently standing at 90.2%. Other notable victories have come against the tough Chris Arreola (who retired in round 10.) Britain’s Danny Williams (TKO 8) who knocked out Mike Tyson in 2004 and Herbie Hyde (KO 2) for the WBO title in 1999(his first world title) His only two losses have come in the form of stoppage losses against Chris Byrd (RTD 9) for his WBO belt. Bryd was later out boxed over twelve rounds by Wladimir. In 2003 Vitali suffered his last loss against the then WBC and IBO champion, the legendary Lennox Lewis. The fight was stopped in the 6th round due to a nasty cut over Klitschko’s eye. Vitali has since claimed Lewis promised a rematch, but he retired straight after the fight. Vitali was ahead 58-56 on all three scorecards at the time of the stoppage. Following the loss to Lewis, Vitali notched up three more wins before entering a four year retirement. Coming back in 2008 to retire Samuel Peter in the 8th to recapture his WBC crown. Since 2008 he has embarked on a four fight winning streak, his next fight coming against former European champion Albert Sosnowski. Vitali has never been down in his pro career and never received a standing count.

It is still undecided which Brother Haye will be facing yet, but one thing is for certain, there is no love lost between the brothers and Haye. Last year Haye wore a t-shirt depicting him holding the severed heads of the pair. Wladimir and Vitali found it very disrespectful and were both highly offended. In response the brothers threatened Haye with the now infamous “pizza face,” promising to batter him as long as they possibly could. With both sides apparently desperate to fight, the trio and the fans could Finally get what they are asking for. The Heavyweight division could also finally get the excitement and fireworks it’s been crying out for since the retirements of fighters such as Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazer or your Lennox Lewis’s and Mike Tyson’s. The question is when it’s all said and done, who will be the last man standing and the number one heavyweight in the world?