David Haye: A Giant Gamble

Say what you like about David Haye but he is certainly not averse to taking risks. He is set to meet WBA heavyweight champion Nikolai Valuev in November in a yet undecided venue.

Haye, 28, is giving up almost nine inches in height and almost eight stone in weight to fight the often mocked but dangerous Russian champion.

Haye saw his bout with Vladimir Klitschko called off after he suffered a back injury in traning for that fight, which was due to be held at a sold out Schalke Arena in Germany.

The big question being asked is this fight too risky for Haye, who many still believe to be the last beacon of hope in a stagnating heavyweight division.

It is also important to consider by the time the bout takes place it will almost be a year since Haye last fought. In that fight he knocked out American Monte Barrett in London.

This fight has the feel of the ultimate crossroads for Haye. If he wins he will get world wide attention and also finally get his shot at a Klitschko brother.

A loss would be a disaster for Haye who at times has been questioned for his loyalty to the sport with repeated claims of retirement if he loses a fight.

Haye, who trains out of Cyprus, when at his best is as devastating a knockout artist their is in boxing, with good victories over Jean Marc Mormeck and the now fading Enzo Maccarinelli at cruiserweight.

Haye and trainer Adam Booth will have to come up with a master plan to not let obvious size differences get in the way.

A victory for Haye could be exactly what the division needs and his charisma could be enough to take the heavyweight division into a new decade with renewed hope.