Haye enters the lion’s den

By Martin Dobbing (September 5, 2004)

David Haye

It’s the law of the jungle. The young lion kills off the older leader, power moves to the new generation. It’s as savage as it is beautiful. On Friday night, David Haye steps into the ring to do just that, this time in the equally brutal boxing arena. The former world amateur silver medallist is young, powerful, quick and charismatic. Facing him will be the old, battle-scarred veteran Carl 'The Cat' Thompson. But this beast still has the bite to see off the young upstart, the power to ruin the young pup’s dreams and send him back into the pack with his tail between his legs. This is a superb match between two fighters, who though separated by nearly 20 years in age, have one thing in common - POWER. On the line is Thompson’s IBO cruiserweight title but the bauble is almost irrelevant. There is far more at stake here.

Carl Thompson turned pro way back in 1988, when David Haye was just eight years old. In compiling a record of 32-6 (24) he has made himself one of the most respected and exciting British pros ever to lace on gloves. After early career setbacks against Crawford Ashley (RSC6), Franco Wanyama (pts) and Yawe Davis (RSC2), Thompson was on the slippery slope to becoming a journeyman. He had power, yes, but his chin seemed destined to let him down.

However, an upset third round KO over unbeaten Welsh banger Nicky Piper earned Thompson a surprise British title shot. For the first time in his career, but certainly not the last, Carl had proved the doubters wrong. Steve Lewsam was promptly despatched and Thompson, against the odds, was British champion – an impressive turnaround for a man who had been written off. Two years later, Thompson travelled to Italy and halted Massimilio Duran in six to claim the European title. Then, in his first defence, The Cat rallied from the brink to stop Akim Tafer on French soil.

Thompson’s accomplishments exceeded the expectations of his supporters, but many remained sceptical as to whether his 'hit or be hit' style could successfully transfer to world level. In 1995 he would get his chance for the vacant WBO title. His opponent was German Ralf Rocchigiani, a tough customer who was desperate to step out of his brother Graciano’s shadow. After suffering a knockdown apiece in round four, Thompson was well on top by the tenth, beating his opponent to the punch and hurting him on numerous occasions. Just when it seemed ‘The Cat’ would become world champion, disaster struck when he threw a punch and dislocated his shoulder. Thompson tried to continue, but by the eleventh the pain was too much and the referee intervened with the Manchester fighter in obvious distress. The fact the judges had Thompson ahead by scores of 97-92 (twice) and 99-91 was of no consolation.

Carl would have to wait two years for his deserved rematch when he travelled to Hannover to face Rocchigiani again. Twelve rounds later, Thompson finished what he had in started in Manchester and relieved the German of his title with scores of 119-109, 117-111 and a scandalous reverse of 113-115 to achieve his destiny.

The Bolton bomber has never had it easy. In his first defence he was matched with long reigning WBO super-middleweight boss, Chris Eubank. Most saw the Brighton braggart ascending to world title glory once more, despite this being his inaugural cruiserweight appearance. Yet Thompson had other ideas and came out the victor with scores of 114-113(twice) and 116-113 after a memorable back-and-forth encounter that saw him floored and badly stunned.

Three months later they did it all again. An improved showing from Eubank had him in a commanding position on the judges’ cards after ten rounds, 87-84 (twice) and 86-86. However, his gamble to re-enter to the ring just 12 weeks after sustaining eye damage dramatically backfired on him when a cut sustained in the first fight opened up forcing the action to be halted in between rounds at the end of the ninth. This was heartbreaking for the Brighton eccentric but arguably Thompson was due some fortune following the first Rocchigiani fight.

Carl’s reign wasn’t to last, though. Bitter rival Johnny Nelson stopped a disorganised Thompson on his feet in round five, a stoppage he vehemently contests to this day. Thompson was never really hurt but was being badly outboxed after tasting the canvas in the second. Yet he has always stated that he has the equaliser and there is a case for the former WBO champion being allowed to continue.

Thompson needed to rebound and got his chance in December 1999 when he fought hardman Terry Dunstan for the British cruiserweight title. Despite being behind, Thompson flattened the Londonder in the final round to crown one of his finest performances. He followed this by claiming the European title when he stopped Frenchman Alain Simon in six soon after. Thompson was desperate to earn a rematch with Johnny Nelson and collected the IBO title after a fifth round pounding of a faded Uriah Grant. But instead of a return with Nelson, Thompson was matched with dynamite hitter Ezra Sellers. In one of the fights of the year, the Manchester veteran was brutally stopped in the fourth despite knocking down Sellers twice (Thompson himself was down four times).

This seemed like the end. A nineteen-month lay off followed until Thompson decided to launch an audacious ring return under the management of Dennis Hobson. But warm up fights against journeymen Paul Bonson and Phil Day seemed to prove that Carl was a shadow of his former self. Thompson was suddenly thrown in at the deep end when he landed a shot at South Africa’s Sebastian Rothmann’s IBO title this February. The pair traded knockdowns in the fourth (Thompson) and fifth (Rothmann), but by the ninth a spent Thompson was about to be stopped. Seemingly on the brink of defeat, Thompson, with every last bit of energy he had, landed one huge punch off the ropes. Rothmann jacknifed onto the canvas, and though he miraculously made it to his feet, he was in no position to continue. With one perfect right hand Thompson had put himself back among the elite by producing one of the biggest turnarounds in British history. It’s a place he has no intention of giving up.

Since he won silver in the World Amateur Championships in 2001, David Haye has long been considered as the future golden boy of British boxing. He was expected to get Gold in the Commonwealth games of 2002 before injury forced him to withdraw. Since turning pro he has compiled a record of 10 wins, all by KO, and looks a truly devastating puncher.

After a string of early victories, things were to become trickier when the Bermondsey quicksilver faced Lolenga Mock last September. A temple shot sent Haye to the canvas and in doing so turned his legs to jelly in round two. He looked in danger of being stopped until he weathered the crisis and landed a corkscrew uppercut on his African foe in the fourth. The game Mock rose to his feet and looked more than capable of continuing but the fight was waved off, much to the disgust of the punters. Doubts had been raised. Was Haye’s punch resistance up to scratch?

The youngster’s first title action came in November 2003 when he contested the inaugural English Cruiserweight title with Lincoln’s Tony Dowling. Three knockdowns and 90 seconds later it was all over inside a round, the outgunned Dowling unable to cope with Haye’s lightening speed and power. Next up, in what appeared beforehand to be a risky foray into world class, was former IBF champion Arthur Williams. But pre-fight butterflies quickly subsided, as Haye was far too much for his ancient foe, stopping him in three. Haye looked superb but it is questionable how much Williams brought to the table bar his record.

Still short of professional experience, one wonders if Haye possesses the ring savvy to down the seasoned Thompson. It’s obvious that British Boxing needs a new star. Haye has that smell of a world champion in the making. How much would a Thompson victory actually do for the domestic game? Quick answer, it would extend his career by one, maybe two fights and in doing so would seriously damage one of our real hopes for the future. But life isn’t fair, Boxing isn’t fair and there is a major possibility that Thompson could do the unthinkable, again.

Let’s revisit the question of Haye’s chin. The Mock fight wasn’t the only time he had been put down. In the ABA's, he was stopped by the unheralded Jim Twite and was also halted in his World Championship final. Those who have questioned Haye’s potential have looked back at this and stated that his chin will hold him back. And if anyone can put your lights out its Thompson - you don’t need a bad chin to stack the deck against you.

It appears clear how the pattern of the fight should develop. Haye, being younger and faster should be able to detonate his bombs before Thompson can do it to him. But will Thompson’s experience allow him to get a crack at the suspect whiskers of the golden boy?

Furthermore, Thompson is most dangerous when he’s hurt. If Haye puts him down its unlikely the Cat will stay down. Will Haye leave himself open to the counter? It has to be pointed out that the beaten Sebastian Rothmann was a proven world operator whereas Haye is a novice in comparison. With that in mind this notion cannot be discounted. Haye must not get careless or he will find his dreams shattered in an instant.

In conclusion, whilst there is a case for a shocking upset, I have to go for Haye in three rounds. Thompson is past his best and his chin will be more exposed than ever before. But don’t write off the Cat. He’s been written off before only to come back and dumbfound us all. Thompson probably wouldn’t have it any other way.

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