David Haye Divides Opinion as Shannon Briggs Circus Is Booked for September

In British boxing, "the thin line between love and hate" just so happens to be a Hayemaker Promotions bill.

The line, which is also the title of a song by The Persuaders, aptly sums up public opinion after David Haye's routine win over Arnold Gjergjaj on Saturday at the O2 Arena in London.

For the second successive outing, the heavyweight demolished an overmatched foe.

It was a battering that those in attendance at the venue enjoyed, at least until Gjergjaj gave in a little too easily for their liking.

Boxing Channel provided footage of the not-so-big finish on Twitter:

The fights on the entire O2 card actually felt like they were booked to fill time in between the other events happening on the night.

There were musical performances from Fatman Scoop and Lethal Bizzle, while KISS FM DJs Rickie and Melvin went through a full set to lift the mood in the building.

In announcing the lineup of entertainers, Haye said, per Lucia Binding of the International Business Times: "Haye Day is about a complete night of entertainment. I want the crowd on their feet with performances to match the fireworks taking place in the ring."

For the boxing community, however, it was tough to watch. Several took to Twitter to air their views:

It was something more akin to attending a fashionable London nightspot.

There was a celebrity or two in the house—shoutout to (surely now the future Manchester United manager) Jose Mourinho! There was loud music. Then, just occasionally, a fight would break out.

The only difference to a nightclub was security stood and watched punches being thrown rather than quickly stepping in to break it up.

Haye understands the need to create a buzz. Despite only bashing up no-names Mark de Mori and Gjergjaj on his return, he has attracted plenty of media interest.

He's also attracted two good crowds at a sizable arena, even if it might not be your usual boxing audience.

It's not like those who paid to get into the O2 can ever have expected an even contest either.

Gjergjaj was unbeaten in his 29 previous fights, yet he was always going to be cannon fodder. Even with a little ring rust, the heavy-handed Haye can still remember how to flatten stationary targets.

The audience inside the building turned it into something of a pantomime when The Cobra—who only lived up to his nickname with the way he slithered out of the ring—failed to stay upright when hit by a jab.

In total, Haye dropped Gjergjaj four times in the space of four minutes and 35 seconds.

Gjergjaj was allowed to hear the bell to end Round 1 rather than battle through to it. Like a cat torturing a half-dead rodent, Haye seemed keen to stretch his fun out longer than was necessary.

Eventually, Haye put Gjergjaj out of his misery. The crowd cheered.

Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

Next up on Haye's schedule is a September showdown with Shannon Briggs, who stopped Emilio Ezequiel Zarate after two minutes and 22 seconds of a bout that was somehow even less competitive than the main event.

Briggs has lingered around the division more due to his out-of-ring antics than any performance he's put in between the ropes.

Since losing to Vitali Klitschko in 2010, The Cannon has shot down (brace yourself): Maurenzo Smith, Francisco Mireles, Matthew Greer, Raphael Zumbano Love, Cory Phelps, Richard Carmack, Zoltan Petranyi, Michael Marrone and now Zarate.

Despite the lack of notable names on that list, the 44-year-old New Yorker still gets a crack at derailing Haye's grand plan to win a second world title as a heavyweight.

The duo—who have had their run-ins at media events—nearly started exchanging blows early when they tried to confront each other in the crowd.

The head-to-head all felt a little staged. Boxer Jazza Dickens summed up the situation on Twitter:

Briggs talks a good game, looks in good condition and has plenty of experience at the highest level (albeit a long, long time ago).

However, he's like a can of corned beef you find when finally cleaning out your kitchen cupboards. It's been on the shelf for years and is well past the best-before date, yet it's still around.

Per Sachin Nakrani of the Guardian, Haye said after his triumph: "I’m looking forward to seeing big fights next year but more immediately I’ve got Briggs. I’ll flatten him in September."

The boxing world, meanwhile, is looking forward to seeing Haye go up against a serious rival.

Anthony Joshua's name was once again mentioned in the immediate aftermath, but it seems neither side sees that happening until 2017. It can only be hoped the opportunity isn't lost while time ticks by.

Sadly, Briggs isn't a big fight.

The September date could still be pleasurable, provided you enjoy a game of spot the celebrity in the crowd, plus listening to live music and watching mismatches in a ring.

Yet Haye's return to action makes the heavyweight scene more interesting, as USA Today's Mike Coppinger pointed out on Twitter:

Hayemaker Promotions made some noise at the O2. Hopefully, Haye can continue to do the same in a division that is well and truly out of the doldrums.

To borrow Briggs' favourite catchphrase, let's go, champ!

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