I remember the first boxing match I ever attended when I was six years old. It was due to numerous reasons, the thrill of being out with my father and uncle for the first time as a grown-up, the fact I was dressed up like a penguin (you had to wear suits in those days) or maybe it was the love of the sport that has captivated my life since.
My uncle also shared the love of the sport and somehow managed to get me backstage. I remember meeting some boxers, and the thrill of the fight was installed within me for life. Throughout my life, I have been fortunate enough to see some of the greatest British fighters of my generation. Benn, Eubank, Watson, Calzhage, Hatton, Hamed, Bruno and Lewis.
All different fighters with different attitudes yet no matter who their opponent they always carried the glory of our country and respect for the sport at all times. In the past few years, Britain has not had that many world-class fighters, with the exception of Cleverly and Khan there are none to be called World Class right about now.
Two fighters though had the opportunity to change that. David Haye a brilliant light heavyweight who did well when moving up to the heavyweight division, and Derek Chisora, a young heavyweight with a promising career ahead of him.
Haye has been a heavyweight champion, Chisora yesterday fought for the WBC title for the very first time. When Haye fought Klitschko he disrespected his opponent by wearing a T-shirt showing both brothers decapitated. The past week Chisora slapped Vitali in the face, then spat water at him just before the fight.
Both of these acts were disgusting, disrespectful and tarnished the reputation of British boxing. Yet these two clowns could not let it rest, they had to get involved in a fight below. A fight where the courteous and dignified world champion looked on with disgust.
Klitchkos’s manager has said that he doubts either fighter will fight a British opponent again. Who can blame them after what these two idiots did. Chisora and Haye are an absolute disgrace to British boxing and both, in my opinion, should be banned from every representing our country again.
Both seemed to fight with their ego’s rather than their fists and after what happened last night post fight they have damaged the sport that so many of us love.
When the history books close on this generation of fighters David Haye and Derek Chisora, will sadly be remembered for all the wrong reasons.
