September’s all-British heavyweight showdown between David Haye and Tyson Fury has taken on added importance after it was confirmed by ESPN that American network HBO will screen the fight to the U.S. public.
Haye and Fury are heading for one of the biggest bouts in the recent history of British boxing when they square off in Manchester on September 28.
Where: Manchester Arena, Manchester, England
When: Saturday, Sept. 28
Watch: Sky Sports HD Box Office (UK), HBO (US)
The ramifications of the contest are already huge for both fighters, with local pride and bragging rights most definitely on the line after months of trash talk between the pair.
More importantly, the loser slips well down the heavyweight pecking order, while the winner propels himself towards world-title contention—something which will be significantly aided by mass exposure to the American market.
HBO Sports president Ken Hershman sums up the magnitude of the showdown, per Dan Rafael of ESPN:
Haye versus Fury is going to be entertaining. It features two heavyweights who as much as they want to win also don't want to lose to this fighter in particular.
HBO subscribers love big events, and that is what we plan on delivering on Sept. 28. Three exciting bouts from three different countries.
Hershman is referring to the two bouts that will follow coverage of Haye vs. Fury, first switching to Montreal for light-heavyweight champion Adonis Stevenson’s maiden defence against Tavoris Cloud and then to California for Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.’s return to the ring against Brian Vera at super middleweight.
Both Haye and Fury know the importance of the U.S. market when it comes to leveraging themselves into world-title contention, so to feature on HBO’s schedule will enormously aid their struggles.
Fury has already made an impact on the U.S. public, beating Steve Cunningham in a thriller before singing to the New York City crowd at Madison Square Garden.
He has now used natural cruiserweight Cunningham to help prepare himself for Haye, who will have speed and agility advantages over the 6'9" giant.
Fury’s uncle and trainer, Peter Fury, explained to Manchester Evening News the benefit of the Cunningham linkup:
Steve has offered a great contribution to sparring. He is not easy to tag, and he’s quick to pounce if Tyson makes a mistake.
He has also got the speed and the experience. But all angles are covered because we have about nine sparring partners in total.
Haye is the former WBA heavyweight champion and will start as favourite come fight night, against an opponent who has serious question marks over his chin after being dropped by Neven Pajkic and Cunningham.
However, Haye risks suffering from ring rust, having not fought since July 2012 when he beat Dereck Chisora. Fury, by contrast, last stepped into a ring in April of this year, although he looked far from world-title material on the night.
Read more Boxing news on BleacherReport.com
0 comments:
Post a Comment