David Haye's latest 'comeback' fight took place in a packed O2 Arena in London this evening, and the 35-year-old former WBA heavyweight champion took just a round-and-a-bit to beat down a totally outmatched opponent from Switzerland.
Arnold Gjergjaj came into the contest as a wholly unheralded opponent, despite remaining undefeated in 31 fights. At one point, Haye dropped him with a throwaway jab.
No, as in literally...
@EddieHearn ? pic.twitter.com/MPMAOhoO6X
— Roy (@PapaBeats) May 21, 2016
Haye spoke some guff after his victory where he claimed it's not his problem that he packs so much power in his fists. Be that as it may, one commentator astutely pointed out that he would have been offered more resistance by a heavy bag in the gym than Gjergjaj, who really did not like getting punched in the face.
It truly was a farcical event; at one point, UK rapper Lethal Bizzle performed one of his songs to the almost palpable dismay of the commentary team. Haye's next opponent, Shannon Briggs, stopped his man - a taxi driver, or something - inside a round, setting up a September showdown with Haye in what will essentially amount to The Sport Bible in fight form.
Haye dropped his Swiss opponent on three occasions before pummelling 'The Cobra' into submission in the second round.
David Haye with a 2nd round stoppage pic.twitter.com/rgiqmyfHh9
— BoxingTipster (@AgainstTRopes) May 21, 2016
The fact that he sold out London's O2 Arena proves The Hayemaker is still a major draw in the sport, but many of those watching the event live on Dave were left aghast by the entire circus as it unfolded:
David Haye and Shannon Briggs win abysmal mismatches in effort to sell their own showdown. Not boxing's finest hour.https://t.co/CCaq7iFFsm
— Boxing News (@BoxingNewsED) May 21, 2016
Alarming to hear David Haye blocked excellent Paul Dempsey from presenting his TV fights cos he asks "arkward questions" (ie does his job! )
— Ian Darke (@IanDarke) May 21, 2016
Only way David Haye could scam more is if he posts "knockout thanks to bootea" backstage..
— FitnessIndustryXpose (@FitnessExpose) May 21, 2016
This David Haye sham reminds me of a school production of a big West End show. Cheap crap.
— When Football Was Better (@FootballInT80s) May 21, 2016
Utter disgrace to "boxing" @mrdavidhaye. How much was the pay packet for him to throw the fight? #HayeDay #Fix pic.twitter.com/SINqixdZjl
— Nick Moss (@NRJMoss) May 21, 2016
Another joke David Haye fight. Feel bad for anyone who wasted money on a ticket to that junk. We get it he can KO nobodies. #boxing
— Dan Rafael (@DanRafael1) May 21, 2016
The one positive to take from the event labelled 'Haye Day' is that Haye will donate £50,000 of his earnings to Nick Blackwell, the middleweight forced to retire after being in a coma following his fight with Chris Eubank earlier this year.
