The David Haye Round Table

It's not a showdown with either of the Klitschko brothers.  It's not even a clash with one of the world's top 10-15 heavyweights.  Instead, David Haye has contented himself with a bout against Audley Harrison in what looks to be clearly a "business decision" type of fight - a nice payday with very little risk.

As a pro, Harrison has been a flop and offers not much more than the name value he earned a decade ago with a gold medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.  He's certainly not the type of opponent fans were hoping Haye would be facing when the brash Londoner made the jump from the Cruiserweight ranks to battle the big boys.  Yet somehow at age 39, the opportunity has fallen his way, and he'll have a chance to potentially scuttle any plans Haye might have of facing Wladimir of Vitali.

Let's see what The Boxing Bulletin writers have to say about tonight's match-up, along with thoughts on Haye's future prospects...

1.) Do you have any interest in Haye's fight against Harrison?

Andrew Harrison: This one isn't for me I'm afraid. It's a mismatch which could get ugly unfortunately, which is the sole reason I'll not be making a pilgrimage down to one of Britain’s premier fight venues. The PPV levy is also ridiculous. A rare crossover fight which has the ability to tempt new converts on board and how do we treat these poor suckers? By hitting them with a £14.95 charge and serving them up junk. Sky must be tickling the senses with Tyler Durden style subliminal messages in their promotional adverts as slowly but surely folk are falling over themselves to regurgitate the notion that Audley merely needs to land a one to win (precisely the message the broadcaster hoped to convey in order to drive sales).

It’s a top fighter and a freakishly hard puncher in his prime, against a confirmed underachiever pushing 40, one who has managed to crash and burn against every half decent fighter he’s ever shook on a deal with. Haye will do exactly what he pleases with poor Audley and I honestly can’t see past an early blast out, unless they're planning to shine up some moves in preparation for a fight with a similarly proportioned but far sturdier Ukrainian.

Make sure to check out Andrew's full preview on the fight at Safe Side of the Ropes.

Andrew Fruman: It's an elite fighter taking a very safe fight to make some easy cash, and that's tough to get excited about. It also feels like a slap in the face coming in heels of the Klitschko negotiations. I thought Haye's move up to heavyweight could give the division a much needed shot in the arm, and instead he's just brought us more frustration.

Haye by TKO. I don't think it will go past 5.

Anthony Wilson: I have zero interest in this fight. I wouldn't know Audley Harrison from Rodney Harrison. Okay, Audley didn't exactly deserve that. He's a former Olympic gold medalist (superheavyweight division) and is still around at 39; in the words of the great boxing scribe Avi Korine, "They say old politicians and prostitutes eventually become respectable, and I feel the same about old boxers." But Harrison is who he is at this point, and it ain't a fella who can challenge the only guy in the heavyweight division I consider truly talented besides Vitali and Wlad. Haye TKO 6.

Corey Erdman: This fight is absolute rubbish. That being said, I understand the reasons for it being made from a marketing perspective. As Andrew can attest, the Britons might care about their domestic scene moreso than any other country. And not just the hometown boy done good--the Commonwealth and national titles are serious business. Knowing that, and of course adding in his Olympic triumph, one can understand why Harrison is a big deal where he's from.

In the ring though, despite his amateur background, Harrison is clumsier than a bloke coming out of the pub at 2:00 AM, and will surely get knocked silly by Haye. Prediction: Haye TKO-5

Dave Oakes: I think the fight is a complete mismatch, and like Andrew, I'm appalled that it's on PPV. A small number of the general public might be fooled into thinking this could be a competitive fight but 99% of British boxing fans know the score.

I think Haye will destroy Harrison and can't see the fight going past six rounds.

Make sure to check out Dave's full preview - British Scene: David Haye vs Audley Harrison Preview

2.) Do you believe a fight with either Klitschko will eventually happen?

Andrew Harrison: Haye appears to be on career countdown. I believe he has a mandatory to navigate after this one (possibly against Ruslan Chagaev), which may also release him from the options agreement he signed with Sauerland to land the Valuev fight. Haye and Adam Booth are flat out shrewd and I’m sure the exit strategy contains at least one Klitschko fight, it has to. If I had to hedge my bets which one he'll eventually climb in there with, then I'd plump for Vitali.

Andrew Fruman: That's go to got be Haye's plan. He'd be crazy to pass up the payday.

Anthony Wilson: I would've said "I wouldn't hold my breath," but you guys seem to think he has a plan, and as Andy said, he would be a fool to pass up the payday.

Corey Erdman: Can an egoist like Haye deal with the backlash that would come with another creampuff title defense? That depends on how delusional he is. But most human beings, particularly vain prizefighters, succumb to public opinion on some level and seek acceptance.

The way he has approached his dealings with the Klitschkos in the past would lead me to believe that they would never deal with him again. On top of that, after the fight fell through the first time (two times?), North American television executives and the general public lost a great deal of interest. Because of that, the brothers would have every reason to just stay home and make more money that way.

But now, there's just nobody left for them to fight. After Tomasz Adamek gets clobbered next year, it's either Haye, retirement, or more unfit prospects. Likely, the fight will happen out of necessity for both men.

Dave Oakes: I think there's too much money to be made for the fights not to happen. I can see Haye making a voluntary defence in spring next year before chasing Vitali, who I believe is Haye's preferred opponent. If he beats Vitali, and it's a big if, then he'll go after Wlad.

3.) How do you rate Haye's chances again either of the big men?

Andrew Harrison: I think he has a realistic shot at beating either. He needs to savage Wlad from the off, shove him into reverse by slinging pineapples and aim to shoot his right hand around the side and over the top of Klitschko’s lead paw (something Eddie Chambers executed well, albeit with insufficient power to make a dent). Of the two, Haye is the more natural fighter and he seems able to ruffle Wlad’s feathers, which will be an important part of his overall strategy.

Vitali would require a completely different gameplan altogether. Haye doesn’t bother the older member of the brood in the slightest -he merely raises the tough old bastard’s hackles. Nevertheless, his unique brand of charm (ahem) has its uses here also. The Brit would need a spacious ring and neutral judges as he’ll probably need to pull the smash and grab trick he trialled against Valuev. Unlike the big Russian though, Vitali will be attempting to swat Haye throughout every minute of every round. Time to dust off those Mike Spinks-Larry Holmes tapes.

If either brother manages to land their Sunday punch flush though- forget about it.

Andrew Fruman: I agree with Andrew H. He has a realistic chance against both and concurr regarding the suggested strategies. I think going right at Wladimir is the way to go, and I'd lean towards Haye if he really went for it as I just don't think the younger Klitschko would cope with being pressured hard. As far as Vitali goes, movement and speed could give him fits. As dominant as he's been, he really hasn't faced someone that can take advantage of his lack of quickness and it would be interesting to see how he'd deal with an opponent capable of beating him to the punch and quickly slipping out of range.

Anthony Wilson: I think he would have a chance against both. The Klitschko's pre-eminence has gone unchallenged ever since they took over for Lennox, but Haye is by far the Best of the Rest of their era. He's got serious tools, specifically handspeed. As with any Klitschko opponent, I give him a better chance against Wlad. He's a great fighter, but he's soft and chinny. Don't know how much the former weakness would put him at risk against Haye, but the latter could. With Vlad, I just don't see any real holes. He's a bad, bad man. But Haye is talented enough to give even him trouble.

Corey Erdman: What are the chances that Haye avoids the deadly accurate punches of either Klitschko all night? It would be Haye going to sleep before viewers of the bout fall unconscious, which is a welcome change when it comes to the Doctors.

Dave Oakes: With the power Haye possesses, he stands a chance against both Klits. He'd have to be clever against the durable Vitali - getting into range and clipping the big Ukrainian before trying to get out of range with his head intact. It'd be a long hard fight for Haye and I'd have to favour Vitali unless he becomes old overnight.

A fight with Wlad would be a case of who lands first. We haven't seen anyone push Wlad backwards for a while and I can see Haye doing just that. Wlad can be fragile mentally and I can see Haye's huge mouth working wonders for him in the build up to this fight. It's a 50-50 fight for me but I think Wlad is there for the taking.