Tales From The Other Side...of The Atlantic 06.24.09: Haye Shoots His Mouth Off, Setanta's Financial Trouble and More
Posted by David M. Lee on 06.24.2009
Haye shoots his mouth off, Setanta's financial trouble and more
(Please note, this article was written before Setanta Sports were placed into administration)
Haye Shoots From The Lip........ Yet Again
Former cruiserweight world champion David Haye wasted no time in rubbishing Wladimir Klitschko's dominant victory over the previously unbeaten Ruslan Chagaev. In an interview with Sky Sports News, Haye said: "For me, he's Wladimir "the cure for insomnia" Klitschko. He couldn't be more boring. He had the guy beat from round one, but he let it go on for nine rounds. He didn't knock the guy out, the guy retired in his corner and it's that sort of performance, which just shows why he hasn't got a very big fan base"
Yawn! Change the record David. While it's fair to say that Wladimir isn't exactly the most exhilarating boxer in the world to watch, at least he does his talking where it matters....... in the ring! Apart from beating faded trial horse Monte Barrett, you haven't proven squat at heavyweight. So can I make a suggestion? Instead of whining about how boring these Eastern heavies are, why not get in there with some of them and blow them away. If they're that slow and useless, surely you'd have no problem dispatching them, while earning a number one ranking with the IBF or WBO in the process and forcing Wlad to get in the ring with you. Yes I know, a boxer earning his title shot for what he does in the ring, instead of flapping his gums out of it. What a shocking idea!
Setanta To Cease Broadcasting?
After last week's news that ITV are set to drop boxing from their schedule in 2010, it comes as a kick in the teeth to British and Irish boxing fans that troubled broadcaster Setanta Sports, which regularly screens top class international and domestic bouts, is likely to go into administration and could possibly cease broadcasting within the next few weeks. The debt-ridden company, reportedly running at an estimated loss of £100 million a year, last week lost the rights to screen next season's Premiership soccer after failing to pay the £40 million it owed to the English league and this week also lost the rights to Scottish Premier League coverage.
As well as broadcasting world title fights, the channel also has a fantastic weekly boxing show entitled "Bunce's Boxing Hour", hosted by knowledgeable, straight talking journalist Steve Bunce. It is a huge hit with boxing fans in the UK and Ireland. Setanta Sports over the last couple of years has shown an admirable dedication to boxing that other UK sports channels have failed to do. Let's hope that it can keep going in some capacity. Otherwise it'll be more grim news for boxing fans in Britain and Ireland.
Lee Victorious In Germany
Last Saturday, Limerick middleweight Andy Lee comfortably outpointed Latvia's Olegs Fedotovs over six rounds in Germany on the undercard to Klitschko v Chagaev. While far from Lee's most polished performance, the Irishman still displayed some adept boxing skills for a young prospect. Worryingly though, Lee was cut yet again over the right eye. That has now become a constant problem for the 25-year-old and will surely become a target for future opponents who do their homework. Nevertheless, Lee remains one to watch in a division that, domestically, is red-hot at the moment with the likes of Matthew Macklin, Darren Barker and John Duddy floating about. Hopefully Duddy and Lee return to Ireland as there is some mouth-watering matches to be made between that foursome.
Moore To Defend Title Against Colas
European light-middleweight champion Jamie Moore defends his title against Frenchman Jimmy Colas (27-6, 11 KOs) next month. Moore is at the peak of his powers and I'd like to see him vacate the European title and gatecrash the world scene. I truly believe that Moore is ready to mix it with the world's best. Watch out for him.
That does it for this week's edition guys. Hope you enjoyed it and please feel free to comment or e-mail me. See you next week!
