Why Are American Boxing Fans Mad At David Haye?

Hop onto any of the many boxing forums on the internet and you'll notice that the American public is not very happy with Britain's top big man David Haye for a host of reasons, many of which have little to do with what he does once he's in the ring. Now, I wouldn't consider myself a fan of Haye (it's nice to have a heavyweight around with some talent and style for a change though), but here's my best shot at defending the decisions made by the fighter and his team since he arrived in the heavyweight division.

The big problem seems to be that he called out the Klitschko brothers and the fights still haven't happened. Fair enough.

All the back and forth in the press is certainly annoying, and it would be nice if the best fought the best every time out, but this is boxing, and, generally speaking, the bigger the fight, the longer it takes to put together. Remember how long it took to make Lewis-Holyfield and Lewis-Tyson? No one needs to be reminded of the current situation with Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather.

The two sides are squabbling over how to split the revenues generated by two separate television markets. That much we know. If you are willing to believe managers, publicists and anyone else in either camp, then you've got a thing or two to learn about the business side of the sport. Anything that makes its way through the media is designed to make one guy look good and the other guy look bad. The truth is irrelevant. What's important is what you can get people to believe. And boxing fans are quick with a "AHA! See, I told you! That pussy (a professional boxing world champion) is scared!"

Then there was a T-shirt, worn by Haye, with a picture of him holding the head of a Klitschko like a hero. The reaction to that was just comical. Guys...chill out. It's cotton and polyester.

Boxing isn't the schoolyard. You can talk all the smack you want, and you don't have to meet the other guy at recess to back up your words. All Haye has to do is make people care about him and add fuel to the hype machine. Mission accomplished.

Around about that time, Haye put his name on contracts to fight the two-headed Heavyweight Champion, but decided to back out of both deals for different reasons. The first time because his financial backer went broke, so he would have been fighting for free. Astonishingly, that excuse isn't good enough for the most hardcore of haters around the net. The second, he and his team got a real good look at one of the most hideous contracts in this sport since James J Braddock snookered Joe Louis.

In the end, Haye's team decided to pick up the extra strap (WBA) held by Nicolay Valuev and, so far anyway, things have worked out for them. The proof of which is the fact that they are stuck on a 50-50 split in Klitschko negotiations, which is significantly better than where they were last year. The title belt gave them leverage in the second (or is it the third) round of negotiations, and if things fall apart, Haye can pack a house in Great Britain against just about anyone.

I find it hard to come down on a guy for making sound business decisions in a sport where the time to maximize your earning potential is so short.

The criticisms don't stop there though.  There are those who insist David Haye is a boring fighter.

The best part is that many of these same people are quick to come to the defense of Wlad when fans point out the fact that while he is loaded with power and often gets his man in the end, he's also horribly dull and frustrating to watch most of the time.

Apparently these people missed Haye's exciting run as Cruiserweight Champion.

There was one recent bore of a fight that they'll cling to though. Against Valuev, Haye did more circling than punching, but look at the size disadvantage he was up against.  And if someone is willing to give the Klitschkos a pass for their many unwatchable fights, surely a reasonable person could let that one slide. He did win the fight and even had the giant wobbling in the final round. Who else has even made Valuev blink?

Now fight fans are sore that Haye is fighting Audley Harrison. We all know it won't be competitive, and it is a waste of time, but I just described most Klitschko fights, didn't I? Vitali just fought Shannon Briggs and Wlad is set to face the inexperienced Derek Chisora.  Enough said.

I think it's clear sign that both sides want the fight, they just want to make sure to get every last dime out of it. Chisora and Harrison were chosen to promote Klitschko vs Haye. The fight is worth way more now because of all the nonsense many fans can't stand, and that's a fact.

Look, I wish they would both just shut up and get it on, but I also know boxing is a business. Besides, if you get over the fact that you wanted it yesterday and you still haven't got it, you may notice that the two sides seem to be heading for a clash sometime next year. There is too much money on the table for this fight not to happen, and when that is the case, it usually does.

I just hope boxing fans will care half as much about the actual fight as they did the negotiations.

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