(David) Haye Fever spreading fast: Guru Bos feels it but sage Elbaum resists

Haye Fever, that’s what I’m calling it.

It’s a condition marked by unbridled optimism bordering on euphoria. Those are the symptoms and they are affecting the brains of fight fans worldwide who are falling into what some would say is a mental trap, into thinking that brash British heavyweight David “Hayemaker” Haye is going to pull off a shocking upset in Hamburg Saturday night by scrambling Wladimir Klitschko.

One boxing maven not afflicted with Haye Fever is ageless promoter-matchmaker-bon vivant Don Elbaum.

Permanently known as the man who got another Don, last name King, started in the boxing promotion field, Elbaum could make a weasel type prediction on the big heavyweight matchup which will be screened live by HBO in the USA.

You know, one of those prognostications in which the predictor says Billy can win in the early rounds, either fighter can triumph in the middle frames and Joey will be the winner if it goes past 10 rounds.

No namby-pamby stuff like that for The Donald.

“Nah,” Elbaum said by phone Wednesday from his Pennsylvania mini-mansion. “I am picking Klitschko early and I’m picking Klitschko late. I’m picking Klitschko in the middle rounds as well.”

Elbaum, like many, believes Haye’s best ability is salesmanship, not in winning fights.

“Haye has been great in selling this fight, no doubt,” Elbaum said. “But that can’t change the fact that Haye’s got no chin and Klitschko whacks.

“Also, Wladimir can be so careful, so methodical, I don’t see him taking any big chance, doing anything to expose himself to David. Haye’s best battle plan is to jump on Klitschko from the opening bell but Klitschko will just jab, hold and then jab, hold.”

Meanwhile, down in Clearwater, Florida, fight guru Johnny Bosdal, better known as the Wizard of Bos, sees a better chance for the decided underdog.

“Haye can knock him out if he puts real pressure on the guy,” Bos said. “Haye is a real, genuine puncher.”

I wrapped it up with Bos then as I was fearful of having a runny nose.

Haye Fever is spreading fast.

But will it last beyond Saturday night?

My fearless forecast? Now I do have this fistic allergy.

Haye gets lucky, comes off the deck early to stop Wladimir in the sixth round.

Brother Vitali then vows familial revenge.

♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time.EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios♔, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved.

Macklin hoping Haye isn't KO'd by the scorecards

Macklin hoping Haye isn't KO'd by the scorecards

Matthew Macklin hopes that the uproar surrounding his controversial points defeat to WBA World Middleweight Champion Felix Sturm in Germany at the weekend will decrease the chances of David Haye suffering a similar fate against Wladimir Klitschko in Hamburg this Saturday.

Macklin appeared to have done more than enough to rip Sturm's title away in front of a sell out crowd of almost 20,000 at the Lanxess Arena in Cologne only for two of the three scoring judges to deny him his World title dream.

The decision baffled many of those in attendance and the millions watching worldwide on SAT.1 in Germany, Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland and on Epix in the U.S. A viewers poll on the SAT.1 website spoke volumes with 76% of German's polled believing that Macklin had won the fight as opposed to just 24% for Sturm.

The German media were equally outraged with headlines since the fight such as, "A Sturm of Indignation", "German Boxing Disgrace", "Miscarriage of Justice" and "Fluke Victory".

Macklin hopes that the uproar will benefit David Haye should his clash with Klitschko be decided on the scorecards. "I think David has the power and speed to knock Klitschko out anyway and take it out of the judges hands but if it goes to the scorecards then I think the spotlight will really be on the judges after my fight and hopefully David will get a fair shake," said Macklin.

"I got back from Germany yesterday but the fan's over there were coming up to me and apologising for the decision. I think they have been very embarrassed by it and the German media reports on the fight have reflected that. One of the papers even reported that Felix needed to have TV make up applied so that he would look a little better at the post fight press conference!

"I believe I was the better man on the night and it seems to me that almost everyone aside from those two judges who scored for Sturm saw it the same way. It was a tough fight but I thought I was a clear winner.

"After the fight I asked him for a rematch and he told me 'I'm a man, I will give you a rematch'.

He knows I beat him and he's embarrassed by that decision so if he's the fighter I think he is I'm sure he will want to put it right but if not then I won't lose any sleep over it and I will move on. In our hearts we both know that I won that fight hands down. I proved that I belong at the highest level and this has only made me more determined than ever to succeed."

Macklin's manager Brian Peters says that the support from the boxing community worldwide has been heartening. "A lot of very respected people within the sport have spoken out on the decision and it's been great to receive that kind of support. Thomas Hauser and Dan Rafael are among two of the most widely read commentators on the sport and they both had Matthew winning by scores of 117 - 111 and Lennox Lewis said it was 'highway robbery' and one of the worst decisions he'd seen. The former World Heavyweight title challenger Axel Schulz was commentating for German TV and he had Matthew winning by three rounds.

"We've been inundated with emails from German fans expressing their disgust at the decision and Felix's own Facebook page has been flooded with negative comments as well from Germans so that tells it's own story."

Team Macklin's views have been supported by some heavy hitters in the boxing world from those inside and outside the ropes via Twitter and other outlets. A selection of those include:

Lennox Lewis - Former undisputed World Heavyweight Champion

"Highway Robbery! One of the worst decisions I've seen. Macklin won that fight hands down."

Lou DiBella - Promoter of WBC Middleweight Champion, Sergio Martinez

"GREAT JOB Matthew Macklin. Team Martinez respects your performance and your heart, CHAMP. Sergio Martinez will not go to Germany for Sturm!"

Thomas Hauser - Muhammad Ali's biographer and award winning boxing writer

From Hauser's column on The Sweet Science: http://www.thesweetscience.com/news/articles-frontpage/12838-boxing-pure-vs-phony

"Sturm fought Matthew Macklin in the "champion's" hometown of Cologne, Germany. The bout was televised in the United States live on Epix. It was understood going in that, if there was an outrageous decision, it would be in Sturm's favor. Felix might be a better boxer than Matthew. But on Saturday, Macklin fought a better fight. He clearly won eight of the twelve rounds. Two more were close.

I scored the fight 117-111 for Macklin. Judge Levi Martinez scored it 115-113 for Matthew, which was a bit of a stretch in Sturm's favour.

Then came the obscenity. Judges Roberto Ramirez and Jose Ignacio Martinez each scored the bout for Sturm by a 116-112 margin.

The decision was unfair to Macklin, who has made every sacrifice necessary to get to the point in his career where he was positioned to win a belt."

Dan Rafael - ESPN.com boxing writer and television commentator

"Terrific fight too but bad decision. Macklin robbed. I had it 117-111 for Matthew on the EPIX broadcast.

Rafael's ESPN.com Fight Report excerpt: http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/boxing/columns/story?columnist=rafael_dan&id=6708031

"Of course, Macklin was on Sturm's turf, and Germany is notorious for hometown decisions. This was one of them. Although Sturm said he thought he won in his postfight interview, he seemed almost embarrassed and offered Macklin a rematch. Macklin, who showed class after the outrageous decision, simply outfought Sturm the entire fight, and it did not even seem all that close. He should have won and can at least know that he made a big impression in his first major fight on the world stage. He made it exciting and proved he is one of the world's best middleweights, with or without an alphabet belt around his waist."

Carl Froch - Current WBC Super Middleweight champion and upcoming super six finalist

"Just got home & watched Macklin beat Sturm 116-112 at least. Jim WATT was you watching?!"

Joe Calzaghe - Former World Super Middleweight Champion

"Thought Macklin won! But not surprised he didn't get decision. Predictable home town decision!"

Chris Mannix - Sports Illustrated's Boxing Writer

"Welcome to boxing, everyone. 2 judges gave 8 rounds to Sturm, an absolutely disgusting scoring - home turf decision."

"Feel bad for Macklin. Worked hard for that opportunity. Hope the rematch is with better judges on EpixHD."

"This is why Felix Sturm rarely fights outside of Germany. How two judges can have that big a gap in the scoring is mind boggling. Matthew Macklin was the aggressor, landed cleaner shots and did phenomenal body work. Fought the best fight he possibly could. Sturm was sluggish and didn’t get it going until the later rounds. In any other country, this fight is a clear decision for Matthew Macklin."

Al Bernstein - Veteran Boxing analyst for Showtime in the US

"Just watched Sturm - Macklin on Epix. One of worst decisions I have ever seen - maybe THE worst."

"Macklin threw twice as many punches, landed at least twice as many and pushed Sturm back whole fight."

Jean-Marcel Nartz - Germany's European Boxing Union Council member

"The decision was a blatant miscarriage of justice."

♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time.EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios♔, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved.

‘David vs. Goliath’ PPV Boxing‘Russian Giant’ vs. ‘The Hayemaker’ For the WBA Heavyweight Championship Integrated Sports Distributing Nov. 7 card live

HOBOKEN, N.J.– North American boxing fans can view the much-anticipated “David vs. Goliath” World Boxing Association heavyweight championship boxing match between Nikolai “The Russian Giant” Valuev and David “The Hayemaker” Haye, live on Pay-Per-View on Saturday, Nov. 7 from Nuremberg, Germany.

Valuev (50-1, 34 KOs), from St. Petersburg, Russia, is the two-time and current WBA heavyweight champion and has fought and defeated a “Who’s Who” of heavyweight champions including Evander “The Real Deal Holyfield, John Ruiz (twice), and Sergey Lyakhovich. He also holds the distinction of being the tallest and heaviest champion in history at a daunting 7 feet and 325 pounds.

Haye, (22-1, 21 KOs), from London, England, wreaked havoc on the cruiserweight division with a knockout percentage over 90 percent. He left the division last year to move up to heavyweight, while still on top as the unified WBA/WBC/WBO cruiserweight champion.

The question to be answered is will the smaller yet faster Haye bring his explosiveness to the heavyweight division against an opponent he will be giving away 9 inches in height and about 100 pounds in weight to. Many boxing experts thing Haye has the perfect skill set of speed and power to frustrate the bigger and taller champion. Valuev claims he has faced and defeated numerous fighters with superior speed.

Valuev-Haye is promoted by Wilfried Sauerland’s Sauerland Event and its Managing Director, Christian Meyer, in association with Don King Productions. The broadcast is being distributed by Integrated Sports in the United States by Integrated Sports for live viewing at 3 PM/ET – 12 PM/PT on both cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, DIRECTV, TVN, Viewer’s Choice and Bell TV for a suggested retail price of only $24.95. A replay will be shown that same night at 9 PM/ET, 6 PM/PT.

Legendary promoter Don King co-promotes Valuev with Sauerland Event.

“Nikolai Valuev is a giant of a man with a giant heart,” King said. “He’s philosophical and intuitive inside and outside the ring.

“David Haye is new to the heavyweights, and Niko is a veteran world champion. I hope the Brit knows what he’s getting into as my man has proven time and again that size and talent rule the day in the heavyweight division.”

Valuev captured the WBA title by defeating John Ruiz in 2005 and made numerous successful defenses before suffering the sole loss of his career in a razor-thin, disputed majority decision at the hands of Ruslan Chagaev in 2007.

After Valuev earned the right to a re-match with Chagaev, a series of medical problems caused Chagaev to be stripped of the title. In the end, Valuev’s win in a re-match with Ruiz last year resulted in him becoming WBA champion for a second time.

“The Hayemaker” has beaten four world cruiserweight champions: Enzo Maccarinelli (TKO1) for the WBA/WBC/WBO crowns, Jean Marc Mormeck (TKO7) for the WBC/WBA championships, Giacobbe Fragomeni (TKO9) for the European title and “King” Arthur Williams (TKO3). Haye’s only pro loss was 13 fights ago to Carl Thompson (TKO5) in 2004.

“We are excited to be distributing this great heavyweight title fight between the 7-foot ‘Russian Giant,’ Nicolai Valuev, and the charismatic David Haye,” Integrated Sports president Doug Jacobs said. “North American fight fans want to see more of the spectacle, Valuev, and they wonder if Haye can back-up what he’s been saying. This is a true David versus Goliath match-up in every sense. Strong supporting bouts also airing on this pay-per-view card will soon be announced.”

See you at the Fights.
Thank You for your time.

EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey

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©®™2007, 2008, 2009 All rights reserved

“The Hayemaker” ready to slay “The Russian Giant” in Saturday’s WBA Heavyweight Title Fight David vs. Goliath” PPV card live from Germany

HOBOKEN, N.J. A brash, confident David “The Haymaker” Haye is going for a knockout Saturday against 2-time and reigning World Boxing Association heavyweight champion Nikolai “The Russian Giant” Valuev in their 12-round title fight headlining the “David vs. Goliath” Pay-Per-View event being shown in North American live from Nuremberg, Germany.

Haye, (22-1, 21 KOs), from London, ruled the cruiserweight division as unified champion – defeating world champions Enzo Maccarinelli, Jean Marc Mormeck, Giacobbe Fragomeni and “King” Arthur Williams – before moving up to the heavyweight division a year ago.

“I’ll go out there and look to knock Valuev clean out,” the outspoken Haye didn’t pull any punches. “That’s the way I want to win every fight and this fight is not going to be any different. I’ll become the new WBA world heavyweight champion on November 7. I’ll do it with speed. Fast, explosive movements and clever movements are the way to beat Valuev. Ruslan Chagaev outpointed him simply by being the cleverer and slicker fighter. He moved when he had to and he threw shot when he had to. I’m quicker and more explosive than Chagaev.”

Valuev-Haye is promoted by Wilfried Sauerland’s Sauerland Event and its Managing Director, Christian Meyer, in association with Don King Productions. The broadcast is being distributed in the United States and Canada by Integrated Sports for live viewing at 3 PM/ET – 12 PM/PT on both cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, DIRECTV, TVN, DISH Network, Viewer’s Choice, Shaw PPV and Bell TV for a suggested retail price of only $24.95. A replay will be shown that same night at 9 PM/ET, 6 PM/PT

The quick, hard-punching Haye will not be deterred by spotting the 7-foot, 325-odd pound Valuev (50-1, 34 KOs), from St. Petersburg, Russia, about 100 pounds and 9-inches. “I don’t care what I weigh,” David answered a question about his expected weight on fight night. “I haven’t looked at the scales all through training camp. So long as I’m fit and sharp at the weight, I’m not bothered what the scales say. As far as bring my power up, I have no doubt I’ll hit hard enough to knock out top heavyweights. I’ve never been in the ring with an opponent – amateur, sparring, or as a pro – who hasn’t respected my punching power. I’ve floor top heavyweights, in the gym and in the ring, and none of them can ever believe how hard I punch for a smaller guy.

“It’s never much fun getting hit by a man weighing 23 stone, so I’m not underestimating the power he generates. He must hit fairly hard. Technically, he does most things right. He’s a well-schooled fighter that has improved over the years. Saying that, though, his last five fights have gone the distance, and I certainly don’t think he’s the fearsome and terrifying puncher he perhaps should be for a man of that size.”

Two-time WBA heavyweight champion John “The Quietman” Ruiz (43-8-1, 29 KOs), the current WBA No. 1 rated and “official challenger,” meets ex-IBU champion Adnan “Aachen Assassin” Serin (19-10-1, 7 KOs) in the opening live PPV bout on the Valuev-Haye. Additional undercard bouts will also air on the PPV telecast.See you at the Fights.
Thank You for your time.

EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey

EL Boxing Empress Keisha Morrisey's Myspace http://www.myspace.com/Keishadivine

Honorable Keisha Morrisey http://www.keishamorrisey.com

©®™2007, 2008, 2009 All photos by "EL Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios, Khris Kirkpatrick for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved

Valuev not letting Haye get into his head for WBA Heavyweight Title Fight Saturday’s “David vs. Goliath” PPV card live from Germany

‘David vs. Goliath’ PPV Boxing ‘Russian Giant’ vs. ‘The Hayemaker’ For the WBA Heavyweight Championship. North American boxing fans can view the much-anticipated “David vs. Goliath” World Boxing Association heavyweight championship boxing match between Nikolai “The Russian Giant” Valuev and David “The Hayemaker” Haye, live on Pay-Per-View on Saturday, Nov. 7 from Nuremberg, Germany.

HOBOKEN, N.J.– Two-time and reigning World Boxing Association heavyweight champion Nikolai “The Russian Giant” Valuev isn’t letting constant trash- talking by 3-time world cruiserweight champion David “The Haymaker” Haye get into his head as he makes final preparations for Saturday’s “David vs. Goliath” world title fight being broadcast in North America live on Pay-Per-View from Nuremberg, Germany.

Valuev (50-1, 34 KOs), from St. Petersburg, Russia, is the tallest and heaviest champion in history at an unnerving 7 feet and 325 pounds, who has defeated a trio of heavyweight champions -- Evander “The Real Deal” Holyfield, John “The Quietman” Ruiz (twice), and Sergei Liakhovich. With his obvious physical advantages, coupled by invaluable ring experience, Valuev will not be intimidated by Haye’s “smack.”

“He can say what he wants,” Valuev said. “I don’t care about it. I will give my answer in the ring. A lot of opponents have tried to provoke me but nobody has ever succeeded. I don’t care about his statements. Needless to say, I am very confident of success.”

Valuev-Haye is promoted by Wilfried Sauerland’s Sauerland Event and its Managing Director, Christian Meyer, in association with Don King Productions. The broadcast is being distributed in the United States and Canada by Integrated Sports for live viewing at 3 PM/ET – 12 PM/PT on both cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, DIRECTV, TVN, DISH Network, Viewer’s Choice, Shaw PPV and Bell TV for a suggested retail price of only $24.95. A replay will be shown that same night at 9 PM/ET, 6 PM/PT.

“This is great news,” the WBA champ remarked upon learning his fight will air in North America. “I want to thank my fans in the US and Canada for their support. I hope they will enjoy the fight November 7th.”

Haye, (22-1, 21 KOs), from London, England, has defeated four world cruiserweight champions: Enzo Maccarinelli and Jean Marc Mormeck for unified crowns, Giacobbe Fragomeni (TKO9) for the European title, and “King” Arthur Williams (TKO3). “The Hayemaker” moved up to heavyweight a year ago after leaving the cruiserweight division in ruins as the unified WBA/WBC/WBO cruiserweight champion. He plans to showcase his superior quickness and athleticism against “The Russian Giant.”

David Haye


“Obviously, he is fast,” Valuev noted. “But I have prepared for his speed. We have prepared well in practice for him and his style. How he stands-up to my punching remains to be seen when we are in the ring. I don’t make predictions but I will defend my title.”

Two-time WBA heavyweight champion John “The Quietman” Ruiz (43-8-1, 29 KOs), the current WBA No. 1 rated and “official challenger,” faces former IBU champion Adnan “Aachen Assassin” Serin (19-10-1, 7 KOs) in the opening live PPV bout on the Valuev-Haye. Additional undercard bouts will also air on the PPV telecast.

See you at the Fights.
Thank You for your time.

EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey

EL Boxing Empress Keisha Morrisey's Myspace http://www.myspace.com/Keishadivine

Honorable Keisha Morrisey http://www.keishamorrisey.com

©®™2007, 2008, 2009 All photos by "EL Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios, Khris Kirkpatrick for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved