David Haye interview.

http://boxing.fanhouse.com/2010/08/1...e-klitschkos/?

FanHouse: What is going on with the Audley Harrison fight?

David Haye: That's not been arranged yet. No date, no venue, no opponent has been arranged yet. I should know in about two, three weeks. So we're just working that out at the moment. We have a few different options. I'm not going to go into who I'm talking to, who I'm not talking to.

Right now, that's a sensitive situation at the moment. [Manager] Adam Booth is involved in the negotiations, so in a couple of weeks, Adam will have a name, a number and a venue next to it. We have a few different names in mind, but I'll figure out who is best for me to fight at that time.


Do you feel that in any way that the manner in which you're taunting the Klitschkos and conducting yourself is stealing the thunder from the Klitschkos?

I'm not sure if I'm stealing their thunder, but I'm just more or less doing my thing. I'm doing what has come naturally my whole life and my whole career as an amateur, during my cruiser weight campaign. I've always done the same thing. I'm just being me. I may be stealing their thunder in the sense that I'm exciting. I make every fight that I'm involved in an exciting fight.

Normally, their fights are pretty dull fights. But when people come to see me fight, it's not a dull fight. People want to see me fight. They said that John Ruiz was one of the most un-entertaining fighters of this last generation. But I made it an exciting fight. That's what I do.

I make fights that might not be exciting exciting. I get people excited, and they don't get people excited about boxing. Maybe I've stolen their thunder in that sense.


Do you have any true animosity for the Klitschkos, or are your tactics part of some promotional gamesmanship?

I believe that they have some animosity toward me. I've dealt with them from a negotiations standpoint many times. The way that they do business, I've got no respect for them in that sense. The way that they judge a lot of people and put people down and try to lock them down in the contract.

They try to tie them people down with the contract. I think that's what is killing boxing. It's one of the reasons and the ways that they stop fights from being made that need to be made. The terms that they try to apply in the contracts, that's what stops fights like ours from getting made. Plain and simple.

The best fights won't happen until that's looked at. I think that there should be a rule about how many options that they can have.
There should be some sort of law against how many options somebody can have on someone else or a rematch clause. They want one, two, three options.

I respect the Klitschkos as athletes, but not as businessmen at all. I think that time will tell, and, in years to come, people will look back at the opponents that they fought, and the contracts that they made their opponents sign and that that will taint their legacy, no doubt.

You would fight them if your contract situations could be resolved?

Oh, most definitely. But they try to manipulate the media to follow them and make people believe that they're doing the right thing. But then when you're behind closed doors, and if you're in these meetings with them and you see these crazy clauses that they come up with, then you'll say, 'Okay, it's over.'

They're always trying to gain an advantage and to stack the financial situation in their favor. I couldn't stand for that. I've lost respect for both of them in that sense. That's obviously the way that they've done business in the past, and they'll keep doing it and fighting the kind of guys that they're fighting as long as they can get away with it.

But if I ever got into the ring with either of them, I would knock them out. I know what it takes to beat them. If they want their highest payday, they've got to come to me. They're making nothing compared to what they can make by fighting me. They know that, and they don't know how to handle it. They short circuit. I know that it bothers them.


Which of the Klitschkos would you prefer to face first?

Either of them. I know how to beat both of them. But after my career is done, I'm going to let everybody know exactly what they were like. I've stopped doing interviews about the way that they do business. They pull out one little thing about the negotiations and try to turn the media against you.

They only give you one little part and then say, 'This is what happened.' I think that eventually, the fights will happen. And I know that I can beat them. But until then, they can go on thinking that they can beat me.


Do you believe that you can endear yourself to the American audience?

Yes I do. I think that there is a desperation in America for a heavyweight champion. I mean, this is the most important division in boxing. If you take a look at history, the sport of boxing is judged by who is the heavyweight champion at that time. So, since the Klitschkos have been around, which has been a long time, people are just switching off.

They don't really watch the Klitschkos in the United Kingdom. Nobody's interested in them. The television networks won't pay any money for them. Obviously, HBO isn't interested in them. In Germany, where they're based, they have interest. But outside of Europe, and even in England, people aren't interested.

I believe that people see me as someone who can change that. I have an exciting style, and I'm fighting guys who are a lot bigger than myself. I fought and became a cruiser weight champion, so I know and the people know that I've got what it takes to unify titles and have some big fights and be in exciting fights.

I think that's why people are getting excited about me being in the division.


Considering the reception that your countryman, WBA junior welterweight (140 pounds) champ, Amir Khan, received when he fought Paulie Malignaggi, would you entertain fighting in America?

Yes, most definitely. I've always wanted to to that. I had a couple of fights in America earlier in my career, and as I've always said, I want the big fights. It's just a shame that I'm in an era where there aren't any great American heavyweights so that I could have a nemesis in the United States.

I'd love to have a big Riddick Bowe or an Evander Holyfield or a Mike Tyson or someone whom the American people love and fall behind so that I could come over here and pack a major casino like [the Mandalay Bay Hotel.] Unfortunately, there is no American heavyweight that can demand those kinds of numbers or pack these kinds of arenas.

That's just my bad luck, really. So I'm based in England and based in Europe, and I can sell out an arena over there. That's because they've been exposed to me and the American public hasn't. It's just the way that it goes.


So what's next and how soon will we see you back in the ring?

Well, I'm just sitting back at the moment, taking some time out from my last fight, that's exactly what's happening. I haven't really thought about boxing too much. I've been spending time with my family, which I hadn't done for a long time. In a couple of weeks, Adam Booth will have a list of opponents with a number and a venue next to them.

Whichever one that I feel is suitable, I should know, then, which is the best opponent for my career and to defend my world title against. I will choose the right one.



I think that basically means Audley in November, fucking bollocks if you ask me, very very sad not ruling out an Audley fight stright away there don't look good to me.

queef.

Audley Harrison would be a far worse opponent than anyone the Klitschkos have fought recently, short of Ray Austin.

Yeah cause his fight with valuev was way more exciting than anything vitali has ever done, give me a break. Dude just spews a bunch of bull, 3 weeks ago audley was garabage and not worth fighting now he's going to face him, dude needs to get the fuck out of the heavyweight division if he's not fighting either klit.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Hulk

Audley Harrison would be a far worse opponent than anyone the Klitschkos have fought recently, short of Ray Austin.

---

...don't sleep on Ray Austin ;D


I like the "This the way the Klitschko's do business"...."I've stopped doing interviews on the way the Klitschko's do business" double talk.

The guy should have just asked "When is the Audley Harrison fight?"

Does anyone know what "conditions" the Klitschkos put in all their fights?

I don't really know what he means? A mandatory rematch is fair enough for a champ.

I can understand him not wanting a career defining fight right now, I really can. His career is the best it's ever been (publicity and money wise). Why risk ruining it?

But the problem is he has talked his way there. Now it's time to put up and do what you've said you will.

The sad thing is, only the hardcore fans will turn off him because if ducking this fight. The casual fans, the ones that really make him the money, won't have even noticed and would be happy to see him fight Audley.

If Audley does manage to beat him, you can bet he'll fight the K brothers within 6 months. The guy just doesn't realise how bad he is.

I've no doubt the fight will happen, much like the PBF vs Pac fight, they want to cash in now before they have a fight that could end their career. The K's are keen, not just for the money or a chance to proove themselves, but because of where their career is now.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 0james0

Does anyone know what "conditions" the Klitschkos put in all their fights?

I don't really know what he means? A mandatory rematch is fair enough for a champ.

I can understand him not wanting a career defining fight right now, I really can. His career is the best it's ever been (publicity and money wise). Why risk ruining it?

But the problem is he has talked his way there. Now it's time to put up and do what you've said you will.

The sad thing is, only the hardcore fans will turn off him because if ducking this fight. The casual fans, the ones that really make him the money, won't have even noticed and would be happy to see him fight Audley.

If Audley does manage to beat him, you can bet he'll fight the K brothers within 6 months. The guy just doesn't realise how bad he is.

I've no doubt the fight will happen, much like the PBF vs Pac fight, they want to cash in now before they have a fight that could end their career. The K's are keen, not just for the money or a chance to proove themselves, but because of where their career is now.

---

Yeah the first time he sat down (can't remember which Klit) the terms were (iirc) as follows

Rematch it Haye wins
Fight with the other Klit if Haye wins the rematch
Fight at the Veltins Arena in Germany
Only money Haye makes is from the UK TV deal (which fell through and Haye pulled out with a back injury).

It isn't all Haye's fault it hasn't happend. Can't even blame him for taking on Audley. It'll sell over here and it will make more money than probably any other non-Klit fight.

I'd personally like to see him fight Adamek, but he won't. He won't take risks until he fights the Klits, and you can't blame him, because the money from those fights will take care of him for the rest of his life. I would laugh if A-Force beat him though. Not because i dislike Haye. Simply because every fucker and his dog has laughed at Harrison for banging on about being a World Champion. It would be quality if he did it. ;D

:vd:



He has talked his way into this and what boxing has proven many MANY times before is that when fighters try to delay meeting their destiny (win or lose in that fight) is that game underdogs upset the applecart and make the fight #1 Less spectacular and #2 Less Money.....Can you remember all the times where someone looked dead set to meet up for a super fight with someone else and one of them got upset before the fight got signed and it either failed to happen or was just not as fun to watch since one of the guys was now damaged goods?

Wlad will not lose....Vitali COULD run into some health trouble if he fights a durable guy.....the WBA Title Holder is VERY vulnerable even with the sorry WBA challengers that are lined up for him, not to mention this option defense probably vs Audley.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ono

Yeah the first time he sat down (can't remember which Klit) the terms were (iirc) as follows

Rematch it Haye wins - Fair enough
Fight with the other Klit if Haye wins the rematch - What we would all want anyway
Fight at the Veltins Arena in Germany - Would rather Wembley
Only money Haye makes is from the UK TV deal (which fell through and Haye pulled out with a back injury). -Can see his point



I would laugh if A-Force beat him though. Not because i dislike Haye. Simply because every fucker and his dog has laughed at Harrison for banging on about being a World Champion. It would be quality if he did it. ;D

---

For some reason I'm a bit of a closet Audley fan, he's shite, but doesn't know it. He talks shit, but you can't knock the guy for trying and for getting as far as he is.

Deep down I hope he does win a wolrd title, just for the comedy value.

In an ideal world I'd like to see Audley beat Haye (despite the fact I prefer Haye) and then go on and beat a Klitschko.

He is worse than all of them, but he does have a big shot in him and in boxing anyone can be knocked out. It would serve Haye right for twatting around and would be simply hillarious if Harrison was king of the world.

We would definatley have a new addition to the "worst HW champ of all time" thread ;D

I have to admit - if Harrison beat Haye, I'd laugh for a week.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bcollins

I have to admit - if Harrison beat Haye, I'd laugh for a week.

---

....If that was to happen there would be no safe place for Lefty. I may fly over to Liverpool to taunt him in person if that happened ;D

My boy Haye would wreck the Klits. Just saying. If it weren't for all them glitchy, funky self-serving contract stipulations. :mad:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ono

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 0james0

Does anyone know what "conditions" the Klitschkos put in all their fights?

I don't really know what he means? A mandatory rematch is fair enough for a champ.

I can understand him not wanting a career defining fight right now, I really can. His career is the best it's ever been (publicity and money wise). Why risk ruining it?

But the problem is he has talked his way there. Now it's time to put up and do what you've said you will.

The sad thing is, only the hardcore fans will turn off him because if ducking this fight. The casual fans, the ones that really make him the money, won't have even noticed and would be happy to see him fight Audley.

If Audley does manage to beat him, you can bet he'll fight the K brothers within 6 months. The guy just doesn't realise how bad he is.

I've no doubt the fight will happen, much like the PBF vs Pac fight, they want to cash in now before they have a fight that could end their career. The K's are keen, not just for the money or a chance to proove themselves, but because of where their career is now.

---

Yeah the first time he sat down (can't remember which Klit) the terms were (iirc) as follows

Rematch it Haye wins
Fight with the other Klit if Haye wins the rematch
Fight at the Veltins Arena in Germany
Only money Haye makes is from the UK TV deal (which fell through and Haye pulled out with a back injury).

It isn't all Haye's fault it hasn't happend. Can't even blame him for taking on Audley. It'll sell over here and it will make more money than probably any other non-Klit fight.

I'd personally like to see him fight Adamek, but he won't. He won't take risks until he fights the Klits, and you can't blame him, because the money from those fights will take care of him for the rest of his life. I would laugh if A-Force beat him though. Not because i dislike Haye. Simply because every fucker and his dog has laughed at Harrison for banging on about being a World Champion. It would be quality if he did it. ;D

---

The first offer was bullshit, but Wlad apparently offered him a 50/50 revenue split and no contract options on the second offer and Haye still refused. That, IMO, is unacceptable with all the shit he talked. Haye's a good businessman, but that's about the most positive thing I can say about him.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by CFH

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ono

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 0james0

Does anyone know what "conditions" the Klitschkos put in all their fights?

I don't really know what he means? A mandatory rematch is fair enough for a champ.

I can understand him not wanting a career defining fight right now, I really can. His career is the best it's ever been (publicity and money wise). Why risk ruining it?

But the problem is he has talked his way there. Now it's time to put up and do what you've said you will.

The sad thing is, only the hardcore fans will turn off him because if ducking this fight. The casual fans, the ones that really make him the money, won't have even noticed and would be happy to see him fight Audley.

If Audley does manage to beat him, you can bet he'll fight the K brothers within 6 months. The guy just doesn't realise how bad he is.

I've no doubt the fight will happen, much like the PBF vs Pac fight, they want to cash in now before they have a fight that could end their career. The K's are keen, not just for the money or a chance to proove themselves, but because of where their career is now.

---

Yeah the first time he sat down (can't remember which Klit) the terms were (iirc) as follows

Rematch it Haye wins
Fight with the other Klit if Haye wins the rematch
Fight at the Veltins Arena in Germany
Only money Haye makes is from the UK TV deal (which fell through and Haye pulled out with a back injury).

It isn't all Haye's fault it hasn't happend. Can't even blame him for taking on Audley. It'll sell over here and it will make more money than probably any other non-Klit fight.

I'd personally like to see him fight Adamek, but he won't. He won't take risks until he fights the Klits, and you can't blame him, because the money from those fights will take care of him for the rest of his life. I would laugh if A-Force beat him though. Not because i dislike Haye. Simply because every fucker and his dog has laughed at Harrison for banging on about being a World Champion. It would be quality if he did it. ;D

---

The first offer was bullshit, but Wlad apparently offered him a 50/50 revenue split and no contract options on the second offer and Haye still refused. That, IMO, is unacceptable with all the shit he talked. Haye's a good businessman, but that's about the most positive thing I can say about him.

---

That's very interesting on the 50/50 split and he still refused.


Anyway I thought Haye was fighting Evander Holyfield. What happened to that fight?