FORMER world heavyweight champion George Foreman believes Britain’s David Haye blew a golden opportunity the night he lost to Wladimir Klitschko in 2011. The two-time champion, who defeated Joe Frazier and Michael Moorer in title-winning bouts 21 years apart, does not believe Haye, now 34, will get a similar chance again.
“David Haye had his opportunity and I don’t know why he didn’t win that fight,” Foreman said about Klitschko’s wide decision win in Hamburg. “He [Haye] got that close and started worrying about being hit by Klitschko. If he had sidelined his fear in the latter rounds, he could have been heavyweight champ of the world now. I think he lost his opportunity though, I don’t think he’ll ever get one like that.”
The Londoner, who announced his retirement after the contest, returned in 2012 to knock out Dereck Chisora in a high-profile domestic grudge match and is currently plotting another comeback. The former cruiser king and WBA heavyweight titlist earlier this year announced his plans to campaign for a rematch with Klitschko but Foreman does not believe he will get it. Instead “Hayemaker” could be left ruing that wet summer’s night in Germany.
“He’ll never get that good an opportunity again,” George continued. “But he could have beat Klitschko. For some reason, when he should have attacked, he started protecting himself. He was a good, fantastic little fast fighter, and he was given the opportunity, but he’s not going to sneak up on anyone and I don’t think any promoters are going to buy into him taking the title again.”
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