Boxing Betting – Haye Hard to Oppose Against Nearly Man Audley

The announcement that David Haye will defend his WBA world heavyweight title against fellow Briton Audley Harrison at the MEN Arena on November 13th has hardly come as a big surprise, nor is the fact that the Bermondsey-based champion is a best 1/7 with bet365 to retain his belt against the California-based challenger, who is giving almost 10 years to the champion.

Haye has been accused of taking the easy option by accepting the fight with the former Olympic super heavyweight gold medallist after a defence against either of the Klitschko brothers failed to materialise.  Harrison has never really fulfilled that amateur potential on the professional circuit, losing against the likes of Danny Williams and Michael Sprott in title bouts though he did have his revenge on both, becoming the European champion after stopping the latter at Alexandra Palace in April. The veteran has since relinquished that title but insists he has never lost the self-belief that one day he would be world champion. However, it’s very difficult to see how he’s going to counter the champion’s speed around the ring or the accuracy and weight of his punches.

After capturing the WBA and WBC world titles at cruiserweight, Haye took the step up to the heavweight division in his stride, comfortably outpointing the giant Nikoley Valuev in Nuremberg to win the WBA crown and then battering John Ruiz into submission in his first defence. Harrison will have to get on the front foot at some stage if he is going to beat Haye but past evidence suggests that kind of aggression isn’t part of the ‘A-Force’s’ armoury and it’s much more likely that the ‘Hayemaker’ will be the one celebrating a victory inside the distance.

Haye is currently a best 4/9 with Boylesports to win by a knockout, TKO or disqualification, while the champion is 9/2 with Skybet and Stan James to win on points. Harrison can be backed at 16/1 with Betfred, Paddy Power and Ladbrokes to win on a judges’ decision and the draw is a general 33/1.