David Haye punched his way into the record books on Saturday night, defeating Russia’s Nikolai Valuev via a majority decision to be crowned WBA World Heavyweight Champion. Haye, by all accounts, fought the perfect fight; avoiding Valuev’s crushing blows, and darting in and out to register telling blows of his own in late-round flurries. He has received a huge deal of credit for his willingness to forgo his usual blitzkrieg style in favour of a more measured approach in the Nuremburg Arena, and rightly so. Haye becomes only the third British Heavyweight World Champion since 1899, and would have every right to feel that he has “arrived”. In truth, though, the hard work starts now for “The Hayemaker”.

Haye’s stunning victory over a man seven stones heavier, and nine inches taller, than himself has slapped a huge target in the middle of his chest: one that Russian assassins, and World Champion brothers, Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko will be setting their sights upon. Haye, with all the hype generated by his victory, hype that he played no small part in creating and maximising, now becomes the number one target for any heavyweight seeking to make his name, and Haye’s claims that he wants to “clean up” the division will do nothing to lessen his status as a wanted man.

Don King, one of boxing’s most recognisable characters, and one of Valuev’s promoters, gave Haye his approval after the fight, saying that the Briton “Did what he had to do, and did it brilliantly”. With King’s endorsement comes the possibility of a Vegas unification fight with either or both of Klitschkos, though hopefully not at the same time, and everything that such a bout would bring with it: a media circus beyond anything Haye has experienced; opponents of a higher calibre than he has ever faced; and rewards beyond those he could possibly have imagined.
Haye’s defeat of the giant Valuev has been his slingshot into the ranks of boxing’s elite: as for whether or not David’s stone will knock out the giant threat of the Klitschko brothers? Only time will tell.