All British Heavyweight Battle for the WBA Title
Love it or hate it, it’s here and happening. On November 13 David ‘Haymaker’ Haye, the self styled ‘savior of the heavyweights’ will defend his WBA strap against the dubious talents of fellow Brit, Audley ‘A-Force’ Harrison. Despite wild claims of cleaning up the division and calling out the Klitschko brothers, Haye has settled for what should be a straightforward and financially satisfying night’s work. However boxing can be unpredictable and there are a few factors which make this fight more than a little intriguing.
Haye vs. Harrison Preview
Haye is the star attraction and should be a level or two ahead of Harrison. The fast talking, fast punching contender breathed life into a dull heavyweight division and grabbed the attention of the world. Though now two years since he moved up in weight, the ‘Haymaker’ has yet to really impress. Winning the WBA title from a static Nicolai Valuev, an eighth round pummeling of veteran John Ruiz, and flattening a farcical Monte Barrett, is his only heavyweight pedigree and question marks remain over his ability to take a punch.
A question mark is a good representative of Audley Harrison’s career too. As an amateur he was formidable, winning gold at the Sydney Olympics in 2000. Leaving Australia a national hero with a multi million pound pro contract and a large fan base, his future looked bright. Yet, right from the beginning there were problems. Despite winning his first nineteen fights, the manner in which he did so was dull and labored. Losing four of his next eight confirmed the theories that Harrison’s in-built fame and fortune were undeserved and even against standard domestic opponents he was average.
Despite possessing a ferocious left hook, Harrison is slow and lacks survival skills. His heart and desire have also been questioned. Following defeat to Martin Rogan in 2008, the British press labeled him ‘Ordinary Harrison’ and ‘A-Farce’. He was a national joke and was expected to retire. Boxing is the greatest of all sports however, not least for the stories and legends it spawns. At the age of 38, proving he not only has heart but also humility, ‘A-Force’ returned to take part in the 2009 Prizefighter competition. He won in spectacular form and was awarded a European title fight against a tough opponent in Michael Sprott. The bout was a defining moment in Harrison’s career. On a dramatic night in East London he proved he has the heart of a lion and mental toughness to match. Tearing a muscle early on, ‘A-Force’ could barely lift his arms, let alone throw a punch. Down on all the judges’ scorecards, he entered the twelfth needing a KO. Harrison gave it everything and thundered home a bone-shattering left hook. Sprott was knocked out and sensationally Harrison was back.
The ‘Haymaker’ is the better boxer, of that I am sure. With lightening quick reflexes he stays on his toes and darts from side to side with fierce energy, firing home rapid combinations and booming overhand rights. The early pressure Haye forced upon John Ruiz was outstanding and it will be interesting to see how Harrison copes with the first real bombardment. The question though is, can Haye’s chin hold out against Harrison’s left hook?
With seventeen KO victories inside four rounds it is obvious why so much hype surrounds Haye and his fighting style. Though when he fought Nicolai Valuev who, like Harrison, is a much taller and stronger opponent, he completely altered his normal tactics and showed the world his boxing brain. Haye was elusive and scored points by getting underneath the big man’s jab and picking his shots conservatively. This ability to change fighting styles will worry Harrison and is what sets Haye apart from other heavyweight contenders. Moving in and out and mixing defensive maturity with speedy aggression should nullify Harrison’s threat, however, whether Haye can utilize both styles at once will be interesting to see.
For Harrison, his best chance is staying calm, surviving the first few rounds and then putting Haye under constant pressure. Although keeping calm may be a problem. Harrison harbors deep resentment towards the champ, which has surfaced in the build-up. While amateurs in the late 90s, the pair were close friends. Their relationship was somewhat like the master and the apprentice as Harrison, the star of the British team, would spend time training with Haye, passing on words of wisdom. After the pair turned pro, Harrison happily allowed Haye to fight on his undercards gaining national television exposure. The favor however was not returned. After Haye eclipsed his former teacher’s success, Harrison personally requested to rebuild his career on the ‘Haymaker’s’ undercard, but was refused.
Whether he’s jealous, angry or hurt, a pumped up ‘A-Force’ shouldn’t let emotions get in the way of his game plan. He needs to calmly take the sting out of the opening round and dictate a slow pace with his jab. That jab will be vital, so Harrison’s condition is key. He needs to work it like a piston, constantly smashing into Haye’s face, softening up and frustrating the champ. In this way Harrison’s real weapon can be unleashed – that left. Although dominating against Ruiz, Haye’s hands were low and he was far too easy to hit. Should this happen again, the hard-hitting Harrison has to be ready to pounce. Neither Ruiz nor Valuev pressurized Haye, and both paid the price. The ‘Haymaker’ can look vulnerable late on in fights and if he fails to make an early impact, while continuing to eat Harrison’s jabs, he could fall apart. With Harrison’s last victory coming by way of a dramatic twelfth round KO, playing the long game could see ‘A-Force’ pull off the unlikeliest of victories.
Haye vs. Harrison Prediction
Haye is beatable, but I doubt Harrison is the man to beat him. Should the champ treat this like he was facing a Klitschko and be one hundred percent focused, the fight can only go one way. Harrison has worked hard to battle back from defeats and certainly possesses a puncher’s chance, but will have to work hard for it. Although I would so much enjoy the ‘Rocky Balboa’ romance of Harrison upsetting the odds, a stoppage win for Haye in the middle rounds is my prediction.
