• Boxing

Maloney warns Haye not to get left behind

ESPN staff
July 15, 2010
David Haye beat John Ruiz in April © Getty Images
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Frank Maloney has warned David Haye he risks becoming boxing's forgotten man by staying out of the public eye.

Haye claimed the WBA heavyweight title in November, capturing the attention of a nation with a skilled performance against the gigantic Nikolai Valuev. He then followed that up with his mandatory defence against John Ruiz in April, stopping Ruiz in the ninth round.

However, in the past three months Haye has taken a backseat whilst Audley Harrison works the publicity machine, seemingly talking his way into a showdown with Haye later this year. Once more the Klitschko brothers have eluded The Hayemaker, and Maloney insists there is a need to cash in while the Brit is at the top of the sport.

"If I was still representing David, being a young fighter I would have cashed in a bit quicker and made him busier," said Maloney. "He's a breath of fresh air for the heavyweight division and the media like him, but sometimes when you stay out of sight you get forgotten a bit.

"You can't fault what he's done. No-one expected him to win the world heavyweight title and he's made one defence. Three fights a year is good for a heavyweight. That's what we aimed for with Lennox Lewis.

"But it's also about staying in the public eye. If I was David I'd be banging the drum and making sure I was in the papers for the right reasons. I'm not saying he's lazy, but a champion has to be visible and talk up the sport."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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