Let’s face it. Boxing has not had the best year thus far. In fact, it has been downright depressing, featuring controversies, outright screw-jobs, cancelled fights, and not many memorable brawls. David Haye vs. Dereck Chisora is a British version of what we thought we had in the U.S. with Adamek vs. Chambers. It turned out to be anti-climactic, as Chambers had an injury that allowed Adamek to outwork him and win a controversial (is there any other kind?) decision. Here, however, there is more potential for fireworks.
David Haye is the superior boxer and puncher, however Dereck Chisora has showed guts, durability, and energy in his 3 losses. Although the Helenius loss was really a win, he has held his own against the giants in the heavyweight division. The others being Klitschko and Fury, to whom Chisora lost undebatable decisions. Oliver McCall is still fighting, amazingly, but Dereck Chisora seems to be the modern equivalent, and is good for boxing. The WBC punishment of his punk-like behavior (spitting at Vitali, and brawling with Haye) might have been warranted, had it not come from a boxing sanctioning body… which is the equivalent of being lectured on business ethics by Donald Trump.
Neither man will be able to fight a safe fight against one another. Chisora, because Haye is the better boxer. Haye, because he does not have the firepower to keep Chisora off of him. I predict that virtually anything is possible, but that Haye will start by outboxing Chisora, and piling up a bit of a points lead. Chisora will close the gap both literally and figuratively. I do not think Haye is above a track meet in order to avoid a charging Chisora, in the final rounds. However, it may be enough to pick up a close points win, and make both fighters a lot of money.
Either way, neither man will have earned a Klitschko rematch, same as Adamek-Chambers. Thompson will likely retire after his second Klitschko beating. Therefore, the remaining six will garner much more excitement by fighting each other. Povetkin, Arreola, Chisora, Haye, Chambers, Adamek, Helenius , and Fury should have their own tournament. Unlike the very top of the heavyweight heap, this second tier actually has a shot at close fights and excitement.
Chris Strait
www.convictedartist.com
