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David Haye vs. Arnold Gjergjaj: Winner, Recap and Reaction
May 21, 2016
David Haye (28-2, 26 KOs) scored three knockdowns en route to a second-round demolition of Arnold Gjergjaj (29-1, 21 KOs) in London at the O2 Arena on Saturday. As expected, this was no contest.
The 35-year-old Haye continued his triumphant return to the sport after a near four-year absence. He won his return bout over Mark de Mori in January via first-round TKO, and this one wasn't much more competitive.
Haye wasted no time delivering the powerful shots that earned him the nickname Hayemaker. It took just 40 seconds for Haye to put Gjergjaj down for the first time. Gjergjaj could have stayed down; it would have saved us some time and him some pain.
In the second frame, this flurry captured by Boxing Tipster spelled the end for the overmatched 31-year-old from Kosovo.
When the bout was over, per the Sky Sports broadcast, Haye talked about moving toward bigger fights. Specifically, he mentioned a meeting with IBF champion Anthony Joshua:
I felt amazing. Sharp, fast, my timing was great. I'd like to thank each of these fans for turning up to watch the future of the heavyweight division. I know a lot of people may have thought I was the past, but I believe am the future. I'm looking forward next year to big fights with the likes of Anthony Joshua. I'm a fan of his, but I believe it is a fight the fans want to see.
A Haye vs. Joshua bout would be epic for the division and a huge draw in the U.K. However, Haye has another commitment to keep before chasing Joshua.
Former champion Shannon Briggs destroyed Emilio Ezequiel Zarate on the undercard. Briggs has been chasing a bout with a big-name heavyweight for the past two years. His "let's go, champ" chant has become one of the more memorable quotes in boxing over that span.
Haye said he would face Briggs later this year if the American won.
"I told him if he came over here and fought on the undercard and beat them, I'd fight him in September," said Haye. "So, it's me and Briggs on a collision course for then. Let's go, chump! Let's go, chump!"
Briggs is 44 years old, but he's won nine in a row since returning to the sport after his own long absence from the ring from 2010 to 2014. Briggs is way past his prime, but he's garnered a decent following with his persistent pursuit of a big fight.
Because of both men's popularity, there will be significant interest.
Assuming Haye wins as most would expect, the road should be clear for him to challenge one of the young and elite heavyweights such as Joshua or even WBC champion Deontay Wilder.
Let's go, champ!
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