Last night's fight was at pisspoor o'clock so the good people of the USA could get to see it. Well, was it worth it? Did it make an impact? Did people watch? Were they impressed? Opinions from the other side of the pond please.
No way he garnered a mainstream following from it, but among boxing fans, ones who tune in to cable boxing, he no doubt gained in stature, and they'll watch him again because he scored an early knockout. .0001% of general sports fans could even tell you what the Cruiserweight division is. I'd say 10% of the crowd who tune in to HBO or Showtime boxing could tell you. It's a safe bet that only a handful (the posters on this board?) had even heard of David Haye. Boxing is not mainstream here at all. There are no stars other than DeLaHoya, and that's not for anything he's done lately.
I'm impressed with Haye's power but Maccarinelli was really unknown in the US and it's tough to really judge Haye's performance.
Does Canada count? Honestly I'm really hopefull for the guy, I was hoping he would blow Enzo away quick and he did. I can see him putting some life back into the current Heavyweight scene, then again he's not an American so they may still think the division is awful.
It's much too soon to know how his impact went. But he won in spectacular fashion, and that's what he needed to do.
That makes me sad. The USA is supposed to be the home of boxing. If an exciting fighter like Haye isnt lighting any fires with the general public what the **** will? Has boxing ceased to be a mainstream sport entirely?
Pretty much. Roy Jones, Trinidad, DLH, Holyfield and Mayweather are the only active fighters with any type of mainstream appeal in the states. Wlad has a decent following in the states.
Didn't realise it had got that bad. If the following is drying up the money will be sure to follow. Without the big bucks why would talent go to the US? Not good for boxing, not good at all.
I was there last night and was wondering if it was worth the fight being staged at 2am (actually came on around 2.15am) so the Americans could view it. Seems like it wasn't...
Big fights can still generate a ton of money in the U.S. Although boxing isn't really that mainstream in this country, there is so much money flowing in this country that boxers can still get boatloads of cash.
The average American sports fan doesnt know 95% of all boxers names. But I am offically a fan of Haye after lasts night's fight. I am hopeful he will clean up the HW division in the next year or two. He is a very exciting fighter and seems to be a cool dude! He is EXACTLY what boxing and especially the HW division needs.
Firstly, I was surprised this fight was a big deal in England. Macarinelli was never in the same class as Haye. He seems to be nothing special, not bad but not as good as Haye. Still, Haye did what he should have with an inferior opponent, he disposed of him clean and quick. What's his profile here in the US? Well, to me personally, Haye will be a welcomed addition to the heavyweight division. The heavies need some star power and Haye could provide it. We need to see him in with a heavyweigt who poses some sort of threat but the possilbities are high. Haye will carry handspeed, power, and a fighter's mentality up with him. Offensive skills and an iffy chin means excitement. His chin might stop him from being a heavyweight great, but he could be one of the more exciting heavyweights out there. I'd guess he'll never be a Lennox Lewis but he should surpass Herbie Hide. Time will tell.
Two British world champs at the same weight fighting each other is a rarity in the UK. That's why it was a big deal. It could happen again with Witter and Hatton. Before tonight the last time it could have happened might have been as long ago as Lewis and Hide or Reid and Calzaghe. Last time it did happen was Benn vs Eubank II.
People will probably recognize him next time they see him, which wasn't really true outside of people who truely follow boxing before. It effected his profile by creating one for the average person who watches boxing now and then, which he didn't really have before. It definatly helped that the fight was memorable. Good first step for starting his HW career, if that is true.