You would think I'd know better. I'm in the world of show business where hype often outweighs substance. From air brushed starlets to lip synching pop stars to shows that promise you a living Unicorn only to reel you in with a disfigured goat. Some how someway I should have seen the disappointment that was Wladimir Klitschko vs. David Haye coming. How in the world did we miss this? Even some of the fight game’s brightest luminaries were caught hook, line, and sinker. The question that we must ask ourselves is why in the world did we think David Haye would be any different than Klitschko's previous foes? What exactly did he ever bring to make us think he would topple the champion? Hope, that's what. Our deep and secret hope that finally someone with a personality would lift the reigns of domination from Wladimir Klitschko and usher in an era of excitement. All the while knowing, despite his rhetoric and the highlight reels, David Haye had no business in the same zip code as Wladimir Klitschko. Needless to say he had no business receiving the mountain of money he managed to swindle, pardon me, get paid. But, hey “don’t hate the player, hate the game,” I ain’t mad atcha. Any boxer who manages to garner a huge payday for what they put their body through, I say more power to you. Our need, or rather our obsession with finding the next glorious heavyweight led us to this mirage. Why else did we endure the pomp and circumstance which preceded yet another boring Klitschko showcase? We wanted, no, we needed Haye to give us what we've all been craving, EXCITEMENT!
The Klitschko brothers are ideal sportsmen. High athletic prowess matched with massive intelligence. They just so happen to rule the most lack luster division in all of boxing. Maybe not, but, because it is the heavyweight division which is the standard for all sports, the expectations are far greater. Unfortunately, not only would David Haye fall ridiculously short, with his "I hope to land one lucky punch" tactic, his excuse for his lack of pugilistic engagement vs. Klitschko has got to go down in the pantheon of Sorry Ass Excuses in Sports. "My toe...see!" Heavyweight hopes foiled by a broken toe. Who would have thought? I just assumed he was engaging in a new and innovative method of cowardice. He even had the temerity to take off his shoe and show the world what kept him from living up to his mouth. Pathetic! Sadly for fight fans the heavyweight division continues in the dark cold shadows of obscurity and irrelevance waiting desperately for a Savior. Thanks for nothing David Haye.
© 2011
