In a curious move, WBA Heavyweight Champion David Haye told reporters at a press conference yesterday that day’s announcement would be his last free press conference, podcast or YouTube vidclip on the subject of a showdown fight with either Klitschko brother. All future announcements and updates would be made by paid video.
“I realized the other day, [while] watching the telly, that my outside-the-ring fight to make a match with the Klitschkos was at least as entertaining as any drama on BBC” said Haye. “They get paid for that drama, so why shouldn’t I get paid for mine.” Haye then went on to explain he would not be putting a high price tag on the privilege of watching him explain the latest development in the ongoing struggle to put the Hayemaker in the ring with one of the two PhDs of heavyweight boxing. Haye commented “About the same as buying a song on iTunes, I think.”
When asked whether he thought boxing fans would pay for what was once free, Haye smiled and replied “My fans know the Hayemaker always puts on a good show.”
The announcement immediately sparked some of the drama to which Haye was referring. When the news broke in Germany, the Klitschko’s press agent immediately demanded 50% of the proceeds from Haye’s paid announcements. Haye replied by releasing the first pay-per-view internet vidclip on his website that same night, where he called both the Klitschkos “pillocks” for demanding half of the revenue from a video in which neither man appeared. The Klitschkos retaliated by announcing this morning that they wanted the 50% split, an apology, and the right to pick the video format used by Haye in his announcements, and threatened to cancel any showdown fight if those demands were not met.
It also seems like David Haye’s idea was catching. When asked to comment, Top Rank boss Bob Arum said he would start producing recorded sessions with Manny Pacquiao to be released on Pacquiao’s website every week. Fans could watch these videos by subscribing for $29.99 per month. When Arum was told that the almost $30 fee was roughly the same as many Filipinos make in a week, the promoter had no comment.
