This day in boxing. A look back.

[Master]

On this day in 2009: David Haye becomes a heavyweight world champion

David Haye became the WBA heavyweight champion with victory over Russia’s Nikolai Valuev on this day in 2009.

Haye won by a majority points decision in Nuremberg, winning the fight on two judges’ scorecards, with the other scoring it even.

The 29-year-old took the win despite giving away a massive seven stone to the 7ft ‘Beast from the East’, who had gained the WBA title for a second time with victory over John Ruiz a little over a year earlier.

But at 36 Valuev was slowing down, and Haye’s superior speed showed as he became the first Briton to hold a world heavyweight crown since Lennox Lewis retired in 2003.

“It’s a dream come true,” said Haye, who followed Evander Holyfield to become only the second former cruiserweight king to win a portion of the heavyweight crown.

“From when I was a baby, I said I would be the heavyweight world champion.

“I’ve fought the biggest heavyweight champion and caught him with big shots.

“I made him look like an amateur. People doubted my skills, but I did enough to win.”

Remarkably, Haye managed to delight a sizeable British contingent in a 10,000 crowd at the Nuremberg Arena with a suspected broken right hand, which trainer Adam Booth said gave way in the third round.

Haye was appearing to tire in the seventh round, but he came storming back in the eighth.

He hurt Valuev with a rigid jab before landing with a rasping right to the body and almost floored his opponent with yet another vicious left-right combination in the final stanza.

Haye, who was awarded the fight 116-112, 116-112, 114-114, became only the third Briton to win a world heavyweight title since Bob Fitzsimmons lost his crown to James J Jeffries in 1899.

He promised to “clean up the division” but, after making successful WBA title defences against John Ruiz and Audley Harrison, lost a unanimous points decision to Wladimir Klitchsko in their unification showdown in July 2011.

Haye knocked out bitter foe Derek Chisora in his next fight in 2012, but inactivity, injuries and two defeats to Tony Bellew saw his career wind down slowly.

At the age of 40, Haye returned to the ring in September following a three-year absence. He beat Joe Fournier on points in an eight-round exhibition – and immediately called out British heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury.

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/sport/boxi...e7e0ddf107797c

[Spicoli]

Absolutely love this fight. A career realization after delays. I'll never forget Holyfield being unanimously written off in the lead up and openly labeled "shot". Now in hindsight all you hear is how Mike was shot. Odd sport this boxing.

[Spicoli]

What is it with Holyfield and November

11/04 Alex Stewart I
11/23 Bert Cooper
11/13 Riddick Bowe I
11/06 Riddick Bowe II
11/04 Riddick Bowe III
11/09 Mike Tyson I
11/08 Michael Moorer II
11/13 Lennox Lewis II
11/13 Larry Donald
11/10 Fres Oquendo

[Spicoli]

Stumbled back into this rematch simply for the entire HBO retro rebroadcast pre and post fight. As well as a guy in Starling who really seemed to be screwed over in the big picture when looking back. They said it perfectly with 'self made man' and Champ vs a young man in Breland who was stroked, steered and riding that tireless Olympic hype train of "the next". To the point that Breland was actually the favorite here after being knocked out by Starling . Starling may have been a bit before his time with style and self promotion.The road got twisted for Starling in his next fight with Molinares (notice how they just disappeared him ??) with a clear-cut case of the WBA being crooked and making sure "the right guy" eventually got their strap. Very interesting time at 147 and how it all played out. And in case it hasn't been said enough...God we/boxing misses HBO

[Master]

Very interesting interviews and Larry Merchant at the end talking about boxing stars being marketed and not working their way to the title. Breland was an Olympic star whereas Starling had to face hard fighters to get to the title losing to top fighters like Donald Curry.

Starling wanted to face and called out a young Julio Ceaser Chavez.

I was a Lloyd Honeyghan fan after he destroyed Curry but he eventually lost to Breland and Starling after his peak. Good days.

[Spicoli]

Looking at the activity and comp level of young Toney should humble every young "star". Can you imagine Toney at 160 today? A division where Danny Garcia is now likely to fight for a trinket and "champ" Charlo has not fought in 2 years

[Master]

James Toney was a throwback to the old fighters and he was a young man himself at the time. He had natural skills that he was blessed with but then so did Nunn.

Can not believe PPV were still around then.