Rated at: Heavyweight
Height: 191cm (6ft 3in)
Reach: 198cm (78in)
Nationality: English
Birth Date: 13/10/80 (age 30)
Birth Place: Bermondsey, UK
Stance: Orthodox
David Haye is the current WBA heavyweight champion of the world. Born in South London on October 13, 1980, he was boxing for Fitzroy Lodge ABC by the age of 15 and two years later won his first bout for Young England. More recognition came in the shape of internationals, a gold medial in the 1999 Multi-Nations in Liverpool and the 1999 World Championships, in Texas, where he took the silver after losing to eventual winner Michael Simms.
Another silver at the 2001 World Championships in suggested the professional game was not too far away and at the age of 22, Haye made his pro debut at the York Hall, retiring Tony Booth in two rounds. Young, brash and flash and with fists to back up his bravado, Haye soon swept through a succession of quick wins, including a first-round TKO of Roger Bowden in Miami Beach and another lightning-fast demolition job of Vance Winn in the lavish surroundings of Hugh Hefner's Playboy Mansion!
In just his eighth fight and with only 15 rounds' experience behind him - but a buzz around him and a bright future ahead of him - Haye was crowned English cruiserweight champion, battering Gary Dowling in 1min 38secs of a fight that introduced 'the Hayemaker' to the world. The experienced Hastings Rasani and 'King' Arthur Williams were both despatched quickly and in the space of 17 months Haye had racked up 10 straight wins - all inside the distance - and was fast becoming one of the most talked-about youngsters in the sport.
So much so, that soon he was sharing a ring with the wily old campaigner Carl 'The Cat' Thompson, with the IBO title on the line. Haye's youth and power looked likely to prevail in the opening rounds, the Londoner constantly on the attack, clubbing the Mancunian almost at will, and seemingly on his way to making a major statement. Thompson though, had different ideas and his rope-a-dope tactics proved too cute for the cocky youngster who, having punched himself almost to a standstill, saw his foe emerge from his shell to stun him in a sensational fifth-round stoppage. It remains Haye's only defeat to date and a chastening experience that he himself has admitted to learning from.
It didn't keep Haye quiet for long though and soon enough he was back blasting his way through the cruisers; the tough trio of Gary Delaney, Glen Kelly and Vincenzo Rossitto lasted a total of eight rounds between them. Haye himself made no secret of his desire to box the very best and European champion Alexander Gurov came over to Bracknell in December 2005, but left his belt behind having been floored by that fiersome right after just 45 seconds. Now Haye was big news in the division, his risk-and-reward strategy not only a sign of things to come but also securing a better class of opponent, all keen to silence a mouth that could move as fast as his fists. But Lasse Johansen, Ismail Abdoul and Giacobe Fragomeni were all dealt with - in the end - as his made three successful defences of his European crown.
It was not the most memorable stage of his career, so in April 2007 Haye typically dipped his toe into the heavyweight waters, at that time devoid of all any serious predators. Poland's Tomasz Bonin had only lost once - to a then rising Audley Harrison - in 38 fights, but was pole-axed in 75 seconds and suddenly there was a new kid on the big boys' block.
But while the heavyweight division was in a lull, the cruisers were being lit up - and Haye still didn't have a world title. Across the Severn Bridge, Enzo Maccarinelli had two, the Welsh puncher proud owner of the WBO and WBC belts, fresh from out-boxing Wayne Braithwaite. The inevitable calls for a Battle of Britain had begun, but instead of crossing the Severn, Haye headed over the Channel to the suburbs of Paris, where Jean-Marc Mormeck was waiting having been defeated unified champion O'Neil Bell to take the top seat at the cruiserweight table. On paper it was the tallest order Haye had undertaken and in the fourth round that looked to be the case as he lay in the corner, legs juddering and his career in the balance.
But Haye climbed off the canvas and within three rounds had turned the fight on its head and stopped Mormeck. Trainer Adam Booth would later reveal they had factored in losing the first half of the fight and Haye had even prepared for a dizzying knockdown by being spun round and round in the ring during sparring! Now nothing could stop Haye and Maccarinelli colliding head-on; hard hats and explosives were used as pre-fight props as two big punchers came together, but in the end, the Welshman misfired and was sparked in the second round to leave Haye with three belts and the division in the bag.
The only way to go was up and a press conference to announce his move back into heavyweight was called, and Monte 'Two Gunz' Barrett was next in the firing line, a respected campaigner in the division. Finally boxing in his own backyard at the 02 Arena Haye's arrival on the heavyweight scene had whipped the crowd into a frenzy and it all proved too much for Barrett, who tumbled into the ring having attempted to vault the top rope.
It was not long before he was on his backside again, two fourth-round knockdowns ending a frenetic contest and handing Haye the key to the heavyweight division. Naturally, he went straight for the top, wasting no time - and little taste - in calling out the Klitschko brothers. A T-shirt portraying the Londoner holding the severed heads of the Ukrainians not only earned a ticking off from the British Boxing Board of Control and won few favours with Wladimir or Vitali. It did get Haye noticed and although he had to endure fights with both falling through, he soon signed with Sauerland for a crack at the man mountain that was WBA champion Nikolai Valuev.
Again, Haye had to travel, to Germany where both the Klitschkos are adored and even Valuev, despite his freakish qualities was feted. David though, managed to slay Goliath and in front of the Sky Box Office cameras, he produced a disciplined display that many doubted he could deliver to win a mixed decision - even wobbling the 7ft Russian in Round 11.
When the scores were confirmed, a boyhood dream had been fulfilled and the Hayemaker was heavyweight champion of the world. The Klitschko's were soon back on the agenda as Haye promised to unify boxing's blue riband division, but public fall-outs have put any fight with Vitali or Waldimir on the back-burner. Instead, durable American and former two-time world champion John Ruiz was in the opposite corner for Haye's first defence of his WBA title and in nine pulsating rounds he became the first man in 52 attempts to stop the Quiet Man - flooring him four times in the process.
Meanwhile his one-time friend, sparring partner and mentor in the British amateur set-up, Audley Harrison, was busy winning the European title and calling for a shot at Haye's WBA belt. And on November 13, the Best of Enemies will finally be re-united in the ring...
Sumber : www.skysports.com
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