I have been watching David Haye’s career with great interest ever since the Amateur World Boxing Championships in Belfast in 2001. I hadn’t seen any of Haye’s previous fights, I just remember getting a text from my old martial arts instructor saying that ‘an English chap has made it to the final and he’s fighting a Cuban’. Everybody knew the Cuban was a favourite, but we were all hoping for a British upset; however unlikely that might be. Within 30 seconds of watching the fight I had jumped up and was standing wide eyed 2 inches from the TV! Haye landed a cracking uppercut, and to this day I have no idea how the fighter stayed on his feet. He seemed to lose consciousness but somehow regain his senses as he was falling to the ground. Even though Haye didn’t win the fight, I knew I had seen something special and that his punching power now trademarked as the ‘Hayemakers’ would take him far.

The first time I saw Enzo fight was on the undercard of the Williams vs Skelton fight at the Millenium stadium. For that particular fight the only seats we managed to get were quite far back, but even from that distance I again witnessed raw power. He was in the ring with a fighter from Argentina called Marcelo Dominguez, a short but stocky fighter a strong thick neck. Apparently he had one of the strongest chins in the business and had never been stopped. Enzo appeared to have difficulty with his style. It was a close quarter fight with both fighters absorbing a lot of shots, and I was becoming frustrated with Enzo’s seeming reluctance to use his reach and box. But then I saw it. Or at least I thought I saw it – it happened so fast! Out of nowhere Enzo landed an uppercut toppling Dominguez into the ropes flat onto his back! There was that raw power again that could end a fight in a second.

So when the dream match up was made, I could barely contain myself. Both fighters clearly possessed immense fire power, but both fighters had also been stopped in their professional careers showing a vulnerability that made them so exciting to watch. The build up for the fight was fascinating, with all kinds of strange happenings over the weigh-in and press conferences. A wry smile from Adam Booth as a ripped David Haye weighed in easily within the weight limit, did make me wonder if it was all part of a strategic plan!

The big night finally came, and instantly I was a bit concerned by how relaxed Haye seemed to be as he walked into the ring. He flashed a few smiles as he soaked up the atmosphere and I began to get concerned that he might be taking Enzo too lightly. However once he got into the ring, he began his routine of prowling round like a caged animal and the smiles stopped. It was time for business. On the flip side, Enzo looked very focused and ready to go. He was definitely taking this seriously. On his approach to the ring, his jog turned almost into a sprint as he made a beeline for his corner and again my mind began racing. I wondered if this was his way of showing how keen he was to finally settle things in the ring, or if the event was getting too much, and this was his way of getting it over with?

We all know what happened next. The first round was a little bit more thoughtful than people had anticipated, but both fighters showed great speed and respect for each others power. Haye once again had my nerves on the edge as he kept his hands low to entice Enzo in. A tactic that still makes my heart race after the Lolenga Mock fight (Haye was knocked down by an overhand right, but later came back to win the fight).

In round 2 both fighters exchanged some good shots, but with Haye landing some powerful rights to Enzo’s face that definitely registered! Haye then landed a perfect right to Enzo’s chin followed by a furious flurry of punches that sent him to the canvas, twice! Enzo did fantastically well to get up but his legs were gone, and there should be no argument that the referee made the right decision in stopping the fight.

I’ve watched the fight about 10 times now and it’s still fascinating to watch. Although Enzo will be disappointed with his performance, I know that he can punch. In the 2 rounds of fighting Haye was cut and had a swelling around his eye, and I know that he can definitely reclaim his title. I look forward to both Enzo’s continued career at cruiserweight, and Haye’s new career at heavyweight. They both make British boxing proud.