So who is Haye fighting next?

Caught an interview with him this week. He says his next fight is lined up at heavyweight against a very highly top ten ranked opponent who when we hear the name we will think he's crazy for taking the fight?

The only person I can think of whose remotely scary in the heavyweight ranks aside from Kltschko is Sam Peter but he's got Maskaev so obviously not him.

So who is it? He won't reveal but I'm presuming he's going to be a big puncher.

My guesses are.

Lamon Brewster
Chris Areola
Alexander Dimitrenko
Oldanier Solis (rematch possibilites)
Shannon Briggs
Sergio Lyakhovich
Jameel McCline
Hasim Rahman

Anyone else think of any possibilites? It's obviously not a current world champ and those are the big punchers and dangerous men who I can think of.

Other guys (Tony Thompson for example) arn't well enough known for us to think 'Ahh can't believe he's fighting him' so guessing one of the names above.

But who is it? I really want to know. :P

it will be a heavyweight who is shit

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Originally Posted by ds91

it will be a heavyweight who is S***

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To be fair to Haye he doesn't look for the easy fights. I reckon it will be somebody decent.

Absolutely, win or lose Haye wont fuck about.

Probably more important is who will want to face Haye?

If the fight is in this country they'll have to be prepared to travel and prepared to NOT fight for a title - so

Oliver McCall?

I would have loved for him to fight Enzo Mac before he moved to HW. How do you guys think he will fare there? I'm thinking someone who was once a name but not so much now. If he is going to stateside,it's Arreloa. Arreola has no-one to fight on the Feb 2 card on HBO B.A.D I think,so Haye could step up.

Yeah Arreola would be a crazy fight indeed. Good call on McCall Memphis forgot about him but like you say he's one of the few Americans who would come over here to fight Haye.

I'm not sure if Haye is travelling or fighting here he was pretty tight lipped, but I'm really looking forward to seeing who he fights.

With Calzaghe and Hatton's careers on the way down now I really think David Haye and Amir Khan are the future stars of British boxing and I love the fact that both of them are flashy, exciting, defensively vulnurable but willing to trade and eager to fight the best.

Yeah good call on McCall, Memphis. ;D

Arreloa is a young unbeaten prospect. That fight don't really make sense for either. It wont be him.

And Haye would slaughter him IMO.

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Originally Posted by Fenster

Yeah good call on McCall, Memphis. ;D

Arreloa is a young unbeaten prospect. That fight don't really make sense for either. It wont be him.

And Haye would slaughter him IMO.

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;D ;D It would show that Haye is at least a contender. I don't see an established HW fighting him,nothing to gain and everything to lose.

http://www.thering-online.com/ringpages/ratings2.html

Link to the top 10 HW. Could be Tony Thompson couldnt it?Virchis?Lyakovich? Arreola,who is fringe contedner.I'm going for 1 of those 4.

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Originally Posted by Fenster

Yeah good call on McCall, Memphis. ;D

Arreloa is a young unbeaten prospect. That fight don't really make sense for either. It wont be him.

And Haye would slaughter him IMO.

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Sorry buddy I misattributed your quote to him.

Good call FENSTER on McCall ;)

No worries, mate.

When it's revealed it's NOT McCall we can all credit Memphis with the inacurate prediction.

Thompson would probably travel for the dough.

Virchis looks perfect for Haye. He's fast as treacle. Haye would wipe the floor with him.

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Originally Posted by Fenster

No worries, mate.

When it's revealed it's NOT McCall we can all credit Memphis with the inacurate prediction.

Thompson would probably travel for the dough.

Virchis looks perfect for Haye. He's fast as treacle. Haye would wipe the floor with him.

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Is the fight DEFINITELY in the UK?If so,I'd definitely say Virchis or Thompson. I don't see someone like Lyakovich travelling.

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Originally Posted by El Gamo

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Originally Posted by Fenster

No worries, mate.

When it's revealed it's NOT McCall we can all credit Memphis with the inacurate prediction.

Thompson would probably travel for the dough.

Virchis looks perfect for Haye. He's fast as treacle. Haye would wipe the floor with him.

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Is the fight DEFINITELY in the UK?If so,I'd definitely say Virchis or Thompson. I don't see someone like Lyakovich travelling.

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Not sure where it is, the interview is on the bbc website boxing section

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/default.stm

Look for the vid clip that says' Haye remains coy on next opponent'.

The plan that came strait from his mouth is ..

Hes trying very hard " Bending over backwards to make the macarinelli fight".. Hes been saying im not a cruiserweight.. But in case that fight is made hes been training constantly keeping his weight down for unification and big domestic fight purposes..But aside from a big domestic and fan pleasing fight he says the enzo fight doesnt mean much to him..

But with him bieng wba champ i believe that makes it so that he can step up a division and then challenge for another wba title strait away can he not? I also think that is how Roy Jones Got his Heavyweight title shot.. So is that chagaev?.. ??? I think so cba to check

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Originally Posted by BHB

The plan that came strait from his mouth is ..

Hes trying very hard " Bending over backwards to make the macarinelli fight".. Hes been saying im not a cruiserweight.. But in case that fight is made hes been training constantly keeping his weight down for unification and big domestic fight purposes..But aside from a big domestic and fan pleasing fight he says the enzo fight doesnt mean much to him..

But with him bieng wba champ i believe that makes it so that he can step up a division and then challenge for another wba title strait away can he not? I also think that is how Roy Jones Got his Heavyweight title shot.. So is that chagaev?.. ??? I think so cba to check

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Chagaev is fighting Skelton though. And Haye does definitely NOT want to get on the British heavyweight merry go round as there's no getting off :(

I want to see Audley Harrison vs David Haye.

He says that 'if he told us who they have lined up at Heavy, you wouldn't believe it'.

He is keeping his cards close to his chest.

Ray Austin???

Haye should fight John Ruiz. I'd love to see Ruiz get battered again.

Jameel McCline would be a good choice.

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Originally Posted by Bilbo

Caught an interview with him this week. He says his next fight is lined up at heavyweight against a very highly top ten ranked opponent who when we hear the name we will think he's crazy for taking the fight?

The only person I can think of whose remotely scary in the heavyweight ranks aside from Kltschko is Sam Peter but he's got Maskaev so obviously not him.

So who is it? He won't reveal but I'm presuming he's going to be a big puncher.

My guesses are.

Lamon Brewster
Chris Areola
Alexander Dimitrenko
Oldanier Solis (rematch possibilites)
Shannon Briggs
Sergio Lyakhovich
Jameel McCline
Hasim Rahman

Anyone else think of any possibilites? It's obviously not a current world champ and those are the big punchers and dangerous men who I can think of.

Other guys (Tony Thompson for example) arn't well enough known for us to think 'Ahh can't believe he's fighting him' so guessing one of the names above.

But who is it? I really want to know. :P

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When reading your opening paragraph, I was immediately thinking of Thompson. He is both good enough to be considered "a crazy career move", and unknown enough to be an actual possibility. I dont understand your concern about him 'not being known enough' - the Haye camp should easily be able to sell a 31-1 opponent, unbeaten for 8 years and WBO mandatory as a hell of an opponent. And anyone in the know will agree to this an talk up this fight, even if Thompson is not exactly a ppv-star yet.

Besides Thompson, you have basically listed every top 10-ranked opponent out there. Exceptions are Virchis (who would make for a good opponent) and McCall as already mentioned in this thread. Why have no-one mentioned Juan Carlos Gomez? He would be tough, is easily more prominent than Solis and furthermore he is both hungry and likely to travel.

Other names (see here http://www.fightnews.com/rankings2.htm)

Kali Meehan & Taras Bidenko - ranked WBA 4 and 5 respectively, and could therefore be sold as credible opponents. Haye would hardly be crazy to take these fights, but a fighter hyping his fights is not exactly new.

Michael Moorer (!) - WBA nr. 6 (!). Why not? He's still a name, isn't he? Former linear Heavyweight Champion of the World and all that. And perhaps in it for one last big pay day.

Andrew Golota (!) - WBC 10. If ever there was opponent where the word 'crazy' was sure to be mentioned in the build up to the fight...

And (as mentioned by killersheep): John Ruiz. I simply cannot by any means fathom this as a likely fight to pursue seen from Haye's perspective. As stupid a career move as they come... So it must be him then >:mad

From the tone of the article I get the feeling the guy will be reasonably well known to regular boxing fans, if their's a poll I'm going with Mccall. But he might be bluffing, could be Sprott, the casual fan might think him a dangerous opponent after his KO of Audrey.

Maccarenelli has allegedly accepted a direct challenge from Haye.

id like to see him fight Rahman

Id love to see him fight Enzo to be honest. But wouldnt likely happen now. So i think he should fight a guy like Rahman or Brewster who were on top and can up the doors to America support.

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Originally Posted by Mikkel_K

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Originally Posted by Bilbo

Caught an interview with him this week. He says his next fight is lined up at heavyweight against a very highly top ten ranked opponent who when we hear the name we will think he's crazy for taking the fight?

The only person I can think of whose remotely scary in the heavyweight ranks aside from Kltschko is Sam Peter but he's got Maskaev so obviously not him.

So who is it? He won't reveal but I'm presuming he's going to be a big puncher.

My guesses are.

Lamon Brewster
Chris Areola
Alexander Dimitrenko
Oldanier Solis (rematch possibilites)
Shannon Briggs
Sergio Lyakhovich
Jameel McCline
Hasim Rahman

Anyone else think of any possibilites? It's obviously not a current world champ and those are the big punchers and dangerous men who I can think of.

Other guys (Tony Thompson for example) arn't well enough known for us to think 'Ahh can't believe he's fighting him' so guessing one of the names above.

But who is it? I really want to know. :P

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When reading your opening paragraph, I was immediately thinking of Thompson. He is both good enough to be considered "a crazy career move", and unknown enough to be an actual possibility. I dont understand your concern about him 'not being known enough' - the Haye camp should easily be able to sell a 31-1 opponent, unbeaten for 8 years and WBO mandatory as a hell of an opponent. And anyone in the know will agree to this an talk up this fight, even if Thompson is not exactly a ppv-star yet.

Besides Thompson, you have basically listed every top 10-ranked opponent out there. Exceptions are Virchis (who would make for a good opponent) and McCall as already mentioned in this thread. Why have no-one mentioned Juan Carlos Gomez? He would be tough, is easily more prominent than Solis and furthermore he is both hungry and likely to travel.

Other names (see here http://www.fightnews.com/rankings2.htm)

Kali Meehan & Taras Bidenko - ranked WBA 4 and 5 respectively, and could therefore be sold as credible opponents. Haye would hardly be crazy to take these fights, but a fighter hyping his fights is not exactly new.

Michael Moorer (!) - WBA nr. 6 (!). Why not? He's still a name, isn't he? Former linear Heavyweight Champion of the World and all that. And perhaps in it for one last big pay day.

Andrew Golota (!) - WBC 10. If ever there was opponent where the word 'crazy' was sure to be mentioned in the build up to the fight...

And (as mentioned by killersheep): John Ruiz. I simply cannot by any means fathom this as a likely fight to pursue seen from Haye's perspective. As stupid a career move as they come... So it must be him then >:mad

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The only reason I discounted Thompson is because he's not known at all the British public. He said it would invoke a crazy reaction when it was known who he was fighting and Thompson, despite imo being one of the best heavies out there isn't nearly well known enough to do that.

My immediate thoughts were well known former champs like Rahman, Brewster, Lyakhovich or Briggs.

I guess it could even be Nikolay Valuev that WOULD invoke a huge load of interest!

My money though if this 'crazy' fight takes place is that it will be either Dimitrenko, Rahman, Brewster, Lyakhovich or Briggs. Yup I'm narrowing it down :P

i'll like him against chris byrd

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Originally Posted by Bilbo

The only reason I discounted Thompson is because he's not known at all the British public. He said it would invoke a crazy reaction when it was known who he was fighting and Thompson, despite imo being one of the best heavies out there isn't nearly well known enough to do that.

My immediate thoughts were well known former champs like Rahman, Brewster, Lyakhovich or Briggs.

I guess it could even be Nikolay Valuev that WOULD invoke a huge load of interest!

My money though if this 'crazy' fight takes place is that it will be either Dimitrenko, Rahman, Brewster, Lyakhovich or Briggs. Yup I'm narrowing it down :P

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You have indeed appealed to the detective in me...

And I like your reasoning, as well, although I do think you trust Haye a bit too much. I mean, it wouldnt be unheard of in the boxing world to first make those statements, then unveil, say, Ross Purrity. "The Man who Beat the (current) Man" - Frank Warren would have a field day!

Anyway - I was going to post that Lyakhovich seems out of the picture, as he has an upcoming eliminator with Valuev (for the WBA belt), but while just checking boxrec for the actual date before posting, I noticed they have taken the fight off. I am sure to have seen it on there before, as well as reading about Sauerland winning the purse offer. Anybody know what happened/is happening?

Dimitrenko, Rahman, Brewster, Briggs all sound like good picks though. Big names, yet Haye would be starting favorite against all of them imo.

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Originally Posted by Bilbo

The only reason I discounted Thompson is because he's not known at all the British public. He said it would invoke a crazy reaction when it was known who he was fighting and Thompson, despite imo being one of the best heavies out there isn't nearly well known enough to do that.

My immediate thoughts were well known former champs like Rahman, Brewster, Lyakhovich or Briggs.

I guess it could even be Nikolay Valuev that WOULD invoke a huge load of interest!

My money though if this 'crazy' fight takes place is that it will be either Dimitrenko, Rahman, Brewster, Lyakhovich or Briggs. Yup I'm narrowing it down :P

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Lets narrow it some more...

Dimitrenko will probably fight Krasniqi next...and even if not Dimi won't risk a loss against Haye...he is
looking for easy fights till he somehow gets a title shot(which he will loose ;) )...

Lyakhovich should have fought Valuev,but it seems it got canceled or only postponed...

Briggs is history...

So Rahman and Brewster it will be ;D ...

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Originally Posted by Mikkel_K

Anyway - I was going to post that Lyakhovich seems out of the picture, as he has an upcoming eliminator with Valuev (for the WBA belt), but while just checking boxrec for the actual date before posting, I noticed they have taken the fight off. I am sure to have seen it on there before, as well as reading about Sauerland winning the purse offer. Anybody know what happened/is happening?

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It's back on. February 16th in Nuremberg. And confirmed according to figthnews and boxen.com (who are already selling tickets).

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Originally Posted by BubbleBox

He says that 'if he told us who they have lined up at Heavy, you wouldn't believe it'.

He is keeping his cards close to his chest.

Ray Austin???

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Holyfield?

Im thinking Hasim Rahman he is WBC number 3 he is a big puncher but can be taken out himself.

imagine Haye vs Holyfield, im afraid Haye would knock him straight to the front of the pension que,,

Herbie Hide has come out in the press today and said he want to face Haye once he done with his next oppenent who i think he is fighting this weekend in germany or summit..

dont really see the point in these two fighting.

Hide vs Enzo would be good Hide can't half bang he was a small heavy but he will be a big cruiser.

Thompson = big risk, low reward
McCline = a possibility, but not a a good one. I would choose a medium heavyweigh first before jumping in with a giant, even a mediocre giant.
Arreola- Not gonna happen. Haye would destroy him right now and I think Chris's people need to step up his competition a little before they throw himin with Haye.

Brewster and Rahman are good choices, but I'll add one more name - Calvin Brock. Younger, beatable, and would probably travel for a good payday. The guy has future after boxing, and he's smart enough to know by now that he ain't going to be champ. The loss to Chambers proved he's not a real contender, but a victory over Haye on the road would set him up for other good paydays and even if he loses, it would probably be the best $$ fight available to him. It would make sense for Haye because Brock has good name recognition in the states and it would be a good yardstick and intro into the division.

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Originally Posted by RozzySean

Thompson = big risk, low reward
McCline = a possibility, but not a a good one. I would choose a medium heavyweigh first before jumping in with a giant, even a mediocre giant.
Arreola- Not gonna happen. Haye would destroy him right now and I think Chris's people need to step up his competition a little before they throw himin with Haye.

Brewster and Rahman are good choices, but I'll add one more name - Calvin Brock. Younger, beatable, and would probably travel for a good payday. The guy has future after boxing, and he's smart enough to know by now that he ain't going to be champ. The loss to Chambers proved he's not a real contender, but a victory over Haye on the road would set him up for other good paydays and even if he loses, it would probably be the best $$ fight available to him. It would make sense for Haye because Brock has good name recognition in the states and it would be a good yardstick and intro into the division.

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Agree that Thompson's too much of a risk for too little of a reward. Tough fight for Haye.

Brock's a better choice, a name but not that dangerous a guy, slow, doesn't hit that hard for a heavyweight. That makes sense to me, not a pushover but a name who's not that dangerous.

I thought Chris Arreola and David Tua are meeting in February? Though it seems Tua is the one keen on getting that fight on. Has Arreola rejected that fight to fight another bum?

Lamon Brewster? The guy has one eye left and near zero punch output - he is as shot a fighter as I have seen in years. Also he was planning on retiring - it would be bad if he was allowed to box again.

Hasim Rahman looked poor last time out but it would be a credible win for David Haye.

I think it could be Valuev, he's pretty well known cos of his size and seen as too tough to knock-out.

Imagine if it was Valuev and Haye knocked him out WOW!! :o

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Originally Posted by MAYWEATHER P4P#1

Imagine if it was Valuev and Haye knocked him out WOW!! :o

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That would be Timber! ;D

Also Ike Ibeabuchi is possibly up for release this month - maybe he's already out? He's certainly crazy.

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Originally Posted by WelshDevilRob

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Originally Posted by MAYWEATHER P4P#1

Imagine if it was Valuev and Haye knocked him out WOW!! :o

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That would be Timber! ;D

Also Ike Ibeabuchi is possibly up for release this month - maybe he's already out? He's certainly crazy.

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Ike could be out he could get back in heavyweight mix he's only 35 next feb

So it is indeed Hasim Rahman, great matchup. Nice to see Haye is willing to take risks and judging by Rahman's last couple of performances Haye should have a great chance at winning.

Really depends on what version of Hasim comes into the ring.

Both will know that a win thrusts either man straight back into title contention so a huge fight for both.

Can't wait.