David Haye complicates WBA heavyweight title argument
by Corey E
Inevitably, the heavyweight division will be at the forefront of every boxing betting conversation that takes place across North America and abroad. Unfortunately, this year hasn’t exactly been an exemplary display of talented boxing or governance when it comes to the heavyweight division, and in particular, the World Boxing Association.
It has recently been announced that the upcoming bout between David Haye and Nikolai Valuev will be for the latter’s WBA title. Moreover, the matchup will be contested for the full WBA title.
That’s right, in today’s boxing betting world, we have full champions, regular champions, super champions, interim champions. And while anointing a fighter the full champion does give legitimacy to the division, as no other champion exists, in the case of the WBA, those who follow boxing odds have more than enough to argue about.
Valuev is one of the most popular fighters in Europe, however those who bet on boxing in North America seem to have a stigma against him. Much of it comes from his controversial victory over “The Quiet Man” John Ruiz to win the vacant title in 2008. Moreover, Valuev defeated Evander Holyfield in his last outing. Due to the name value of Holyfield, many fans witnesses a very controversial decision, which allowed the giant Russian to retain the strap.
In between those bouts, Valuev lost the strap to Ruslan Chagaev, who promptly injured himself, contracted Hepatitis B, and maintained the symbolic title of champion. A rematch was scheduled in June, however Chagaev failedhis medical in Finland, but passed it in Germany and fought Wladimir Klitschko. However, he was not able to defend the WBA title for some reason, which was then handed in full to Valuev.
If you managed to follow that, you would know that the following men could be considered the WBA champion for one reason or another: John Ruiz, Wladimir Klitschko, Ruslan Chagev, Evander Holyfield.
However, Valuev will now go into a tilt with David Haye as an underdog on boxing lines. Haye is the number four rated contender in the WBA, leapfrogging the mandatory challenger Ruiz, who is rightfully unhappy.
The BetUS sportsbook will favour Haye because he is simply a superior boxer, and much faster than Ruiz or Holyfield, who even in their frail state were able to confuse Valuev.
Regardless of the confusion, those betting on boxing simply need to know that the Hayemaker will be the full WBA champion on November 7.
