David Haye is the man to give British sport a lift, says Adam Smith as he drops in on the world champion.
Haye the perfect man to take on British boxing's mantle
Manny Pacquiao continues to produce thoroughly outstanding displays, and the Filipino phenomenon has certainly cemented himself as the world's most popular fighter.
Drawing 50,000-plus into that amazing state-of-the-art Dallas Stadium, for a somewhat less than marquee fight against the brave but hugely outclassed Ghanaian Joshua Clottey, is terrific.
Floyd Mayweather would of course have something to say about who's the finest pound-for-pound boxer; but as for worldwide adoration - it's a no contest.
The whispers are of a November showdown between Mayweather and Pacquiao. For the good of the sport, that fight needs to happen.
Yet before drug-testing debates begin to roar again around the negotiating table, we have the second 'semi-final' live on Sky Sports, as Mayweather puts his long, unbeaten record on the line against Shane Mosley in the early hours of May 2.
This is a far more 'live' dual and Mosley has been whipping up a storm in the build-up, convinced that he's going to burst the Mayweather bubble. Promoters Golden Boy are aiming to crack 3,000,000 buys on American pay-per-view. They may not achieve that lofty target, but it shows that the boxing world is really flourishing.
We are still not sure whether Ricky Hatton - arguably Britain's most popular fighter of all time - will continue to box on. Conflicting reports leave the situation in limbo.
Meanwhile Amir Khan's begun his training camp in America for his showdown with Paulie Malignaggi. Amir was just beginning to draw good crowds in Britain, and the decision to pursue his goals Stateside leaves a gap in the market-place here.
So with a void to be filled, there is a real opportunity for our new World Heavyweight champion David Haye.
Firstly, let's celebrate the fact that Britain boasts the holder of one of the most iconic possessions anywhere in sport.
It is especially important at a time when there is something of a flat period in our football, cricket, rugby and tennis worlds.
Media attention has focused on John Terry's misdemeanours and the stale state of the English rugby team; we wait for Andy Murray's first Grand Slam triumph; we are crying out for another 'Freddie Flintoff' to light up Lord's and let's be honest, Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton don't exactly have electric personalities.
Bright
I think David Haye has the X-factor, I really do.
I remember sitting down at ringside with him after he brushed aside Tomasz Bonin three years ago and saying to him that if he stayed out of the nightclubs, and focused fully on his heavyweight career, he could make millions.
He laughed, and said he would always enjoy the odd party! Why not? It goes with the image, but I am not surprised David is where he is, and he's not either.
David Haye has the enticing blend of talent, personality and desire. He is affable, bright, grounded, charming and lights up a room - much the same way that Naseem Hamed used to do.
David is one of the best interviewees I've known in my 20 years in the sport. He has a spark in front of camera, and he has that rare quality of being both 'one of the lads' and also attracting a female audience.
New people are being brought into boxing, and much of that is down to the Hayemaker. He's worked the celebrity chat show circuit superbly; so many warm to him - be it hardened boxing scribes or grandmothers who have next to no interest in the sport.
This week, a couple who can't get to his big fight in Manchester on April 3rd against John Ruiz gave £7,000 to charity just to attend David's media workout.
This is a real opportunity for British sport.
Buzzing
It's the first 'heavyweight homecoming' since Lennox Lewis fought Franz Botha a decade ago. A 19-year-old kid snuck in that night without a ticket. He said it was awe-inspiring and he wanted what Lennox had. His name was David Haye.
Now Haye headlines in the first defence of the WBA belt he won out in Germany with that icy-cool tactical plan to defuse the giant Russian Nikolai Valuev.
Easter weekend is going to be buzzing in Manchester. Manchester Utd-Chelsea - the footballing heavyweights - followed by Haye-Ruiz for the world heavyweight title.
David's putting the finishing touches to a rigorous 10-week training programme; again working at night under an arch near Lambeth Bridge.
"This is David's toughest one. I really mean that. Ruiz is hard, experienced and very difficult to fight," his canny trainer Adam Booth told me.
"The only two boxers who have really shone against Ruiz are David Tua and Roy Jones. Tua blew him away - but he could do that to anyone. Jones out-boxed him with speed. We'll have to really mix it up," continued Booth.
David looks well and seems to be hitting even harder than in his cruiserweight days. He is very fired up and I spent Tuesday evening talking to him.
"This is crucial. I know I'm the best heavyweight in the world. Time to prove it. Watch me go on April 3. I can't wait for this fight!"
Neither can we...
