Unless Wladimir Klitschko can regain his past form, he’ll lose the rematch with Tyson Fury on July 9th—at least that’s what former WBA heavyweight champion David Haye believes.
In a quote from Neil Fissler of Express, Haye said:
“We know what Tyson Fury has got and we thought we knew what Wladimir Klitschko had. And if the Wladimir Klitschko that turned up last time does again he loses. But if the Wladimir Klitschko who turned up five years ago turns up then he wins so it is solely down to what he has got left. Normally fighters who seem like they have lost it, have normally lost it, you cannot rewind the clock and once it goes it goes and that could be the situation with Wladimir.”
It’s hard to argue with Haye’s logic. Klitschko is 40 years old and Fury ended his 22-fight win streak with a clear unanimous-decision victory in October 2015. Fury became the WBA, WBO and IBF heavyweight champions with the win.
He has since been stripped of the IBF crown, which is now held by Anthony Joshua after his second-round KO on Saturday of Charles Martin, who had won the vacated title with a TKO win over Vyacheslav Glazkov. The fight with Joshua was his first defense.
Klitschko looked listless in losing to Fury in the first fight and it will be difficult for him to rediscover himself at such an advanced age. Haye obviously has a vested interest in the Fury-Klitschko rematch. Haye recently returned to the sport after a nearly four-year absence. Regaining a piece of the world heavyweight title is obviously on his to-do list, as is earning sizable paydays.
In January, Haye destroyed Mark de Mori inside of a round and he’s scheduled to face undefeated but untested Arnold Gjergjaj on May 21 at the O2 Arena. Haye is a massive draw in the United Kingdom and there’s no question a fight between him and Fury or and Joshua would be huge events.
More than likely, those bouts could sell out Wembley Stadium in London. If Haye gets his wish, a bout with Fury could take place by the end of the year. A win over Fury might require a rematch. If not, Haye could be on a collision course with Joshua in 2017.
If that string of events takes place, it’s practical to think that the two biggest fights in the sport over the next year will take place in the UK.
This article was penned by the author who is not related to the WBA and the statements, expressions or opinions referenced herein are that of the author alone and not the WBA.
