Filed under: Boxing
It's now over two months since David Haye embarrassed himself by pulling off his boot to show off a broken baby toe after Wladimir Klitschko totally outclassed the British fighter over 12 rounds in Hamburg to unburden him of his WBA title.The excuse was insult to injury for the thousands of British fans who travelled to Germany and stood in some horrid weather to watch their man fail to live up to the promise that he would end the dominance of the Klitschko brothers.
It never happened. In fact, it never came close. Now two months on and with his self-imposed retirement date of October 13, the day he turns 31, looming large, we're still all in the dark over the Londoner's plans for the future.
The only public appearance Haye has made since that soggy night in Germany was to compete with Amir Khan on a cheesy game show fronted by Ant and Dec.
According to the joke, Haye threw more punches on that game show as he beat his way through paper sheets - beating Khan in the process - than he did against Klitschko. It's not far from the truth.
Yet it's no laughing matter for his loyal supporters who are still in the dark over their man's future.
Will Haye fight again? It seems unlikely as the TV show appearance could be the first of many in a new career path in which he will look to entertain outside of the ring.
However, should the Londoner decide to prolong his boxing career, he has been offered a lifeline to come straight back in at the very top by none other than Vitali Klitschko, the WBC title-holding brother of his slayer, Wladimir.
The elder of the Klitschko clan returned to action on Saturday night in Poland to pummel hometown favourite Tomasz Adamek for ten rounds before the referee finally called time on what was a brutal one-sided affair.
The win was yet another example of the Klitschko dominance with Adamek regarded as the closest, on paper at least, challenge to their crown. If the Pole is the best the heavyweight division has to offer outside of the Klitschko family, then their dominance will not be coming to an end anytime soon.
While most fighters would have to earn their shot at a world title again by taking on another challenger after taking a heavy beating, Haye has been handed a shortcut back to face Vitali should he choose to continue his career.
The Ukrainian is still reeling from the incredibly personal attacks Haye has launched at him and his brother over recent years, and admitted he would love to finish the job his brother started and knock the former WBA champion out.
"David Haye has made a career not from his boxing skills, but from his tongue. His big thing is thrash talking and that's why everyone knows him," claimed the 40-year-old.
"He touched me and my brother personally. I want to knock him out, I am serious, and I know I can do that. I've not got long left. I'm not sure how long but maybe three to five fights."
Haye certainly doesn't deserve another world title shot so soon should he continue in the ring and other heavyweight challengers, Alexander Povetkin and Ruslan Chagaev in particular, would have a right to feel aggrieved.
However, there's no denying the interest that Haye's first fight with a Klitschko created was far superior than any other heavyweight contest in recent years. And a showdown with Vitali would create similar fascination around the world.
However, a decision has to be made from Haye on whether he wants to continue his career in the ring and the Londoner will have to realise his negotiation position has been severely hampered following his loss of the WBA crown.
Haye is a proud man and won't want to bend over too far to meet what will be some stringent demands from Vitali but, if the Londoner wants redemption for his below-par showing against Wladimir, then beating his brother is a fine way to achieve it.
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