Comments made by David Haye after his WBC heavyweight boxing title fight knockout of Audley Harrison last weekend are subject to an investigation of match-fixing.  Immediately after the fight he stated to reporters he had told friends and family to bet on a knockout in the third round.  Questions were raised when Harrison’s performance was so poor and it was alleged that Haye was in a position to finish the fight in the second round, but for betting reasons, possibly waited until the third round ‘for a reason’.

In August 2007 the world of tennis was involved in allegations of match-fixing when the world no.4 ranked player of the time, Nikolay Davydenko, was involved in a match with very strange betting patterns.  It wasn’t the first time that Nikolay Davydenko was involved in such allegations and the ATP launched a match-fixing investigation.  One major internet betting website took the unprecedented step of voiding £3.4 million of wagers placed on Nikolay Davydenko’s second-round clash against Argentine Martin Vassallo Arguello at the Poland Tennis Open after alarm bells were raised by an unusual drift in odds during the match.

These days, it is much easier to have a bet on almost any sport, anywhere in the world because of the advance in communications.  But match-fixing is not a problem caused  the internet, there are and always have been unscrupulous businesses involved in anything where big money can be made.

The internet cannot be blamed for this massive problem.  I personally enjoy the extra excitement betting on the outcome of sports events brings; and there are plenty of reputable online betting websites to choose from, offering legal betting to respectable punters.

As well as websites offering online betting there are some great sites such as the Betting Expert Blog which compiles and posts statistics and analyse data from bookmaker data and sport stats.  The blog has a wealth of information which is not just informative but makes for interesting reading, too.  Now what can be more enjoyable than reading a good blog post that is going to help you win money!

Corruption is big business and betting scams and match-fixing allegations will always grab the headlines; and unfortunately this will always tarnish the practice of legal and sensible betting for fun.

David Haye action hero

With the eagerly awaited all British World Heavyweight showdown between current WBA Champion David Haye and Audley Harrison less than two weeks away on November 13th, you have to wonder whether David Haye is paying as much attention to his training schedule as he should.

The thrity year old WBA World Champion has been quoted in a handful of Sunday newspapers as saying that he is already looking beyond his boxing career hoping to become the next Hollywood action hero.

“I’m going to be a movie star. I’m going to break into Hollywood and be the next big action hero. What Vinnie Jones has done is amazing – everyone knows him in LA – and Jason Statham is an ­absolute megastar out there.

I spoke to Jason when he did the West End premiere of The Expendables and I saw him again at the Q awards. He’s a real nice guy and down to earth. He’s got lots of advice for me and said after boxing is done he will help out as much as he can.”

Haye will meet Harrison at Manchester’s MEN Arena on November 13th.

Shock Doctor DNA mouthguard

Shock Doctor produce a range of mouthguards made with a soft Gel-Fit material that moulds to your teeth for a tight, comfortable fit which is protected by a strong, solid shell that protects your teeth while playing sports such as rugby, American Football and boxing.

The range of mouthguards were designed by a dentist and tested by athletes, and are available in both adult and children’s sizes.

The Power Gel DNA mouthguard includes a dual density semi-rigid exoskeletal frame, rear molar cushions and solid outer shell with wall extensions that helps reduce jaw injuries caused by front and side impacts.

The toughed frame provides increased stability in the mouth and a high level of impact protection. This extra stability, whilst retaining a low profile and tight fit, allows Shock Doctor to add strategically placed flow-through channels in the exoskeleton.

Even though the DNA is a top jaw mouthguard, the Gel-Fit liner flows onto the bottom jaw during moulding and takes an exact impression of the lower teeth. This added bottom jaw fit prevents jarring of the bottom teeth against the mouthguard.

Testing the mouthguard on a teenage rugby player it was said to be a very comfortable fit that moulded around the teeth perfectly.  But as well as offering excellent protection either with strapped or strapless, possibly as important for a fashion-conscious teenager, it looked ‘stylish’.

The Gel Max mouthguard is made of heavy duty rubber with the exoskeletal shock frame and Gel-Fit liner providing maximum protection, fit and comfort in a triple layer design.

The Gel Max also has a stylish design while offering high impact protection and comes with an anti-bacterial protective case.

Shock Doctor mouthguards have over 20 years of research and development and integrate bottom jaw moulding and advanced concussion prevention creating the ultimate in mouth protection for any high impact sport.

For more information visit www.shockdoctor.com.

Tyson:Unleashed DVD

Tyson:Unleashed tells the incredible rags to riches and back again story of the World’s youngest ever Heavyweight Champion Mike Tyson, in the words of the Iron Man himself.

The DVD is the official authorised story of the world conquering baddest man on the planet and offers a never before seen insight into the legends remarkable rise from Brooklyn New York to the glittering heights of World Championship boxing.

Controversial, Brutal and Intriguing. For the first time the legendary explosive heavyweight boxing champion Iron Mike talks live about his outrageously successful and destructive life.

From the gutters of Brooklyn, New York to the Baddest Man on the Planet Tyson enlightens us all in this unique one off live environment. Ear biting, Prison and Bankruptcy; you’ve heard the stories, now hear it from the baby bull himself.

The DVD offers an intriguing, heart warming documentary on Tyson’s ferocious rise and fall from grace; including his early life problems where he states that ‘I ruined a lot of people’s lives for my own pleasure’, to his glittering career as the undisputed heavyweight champion ‘It wasn’t fair for the other fighters – they didn’t know what hit them…’. Unleashed is the ultimate insight into this complex and unique superstar of the sporting world.

This hour long documentary is essential for any sports fan looking for an in-depth focus on one of the world’s most famous and most talented men.

From boxing to prison to acting, Tyson has done it all and Unleashed is his outlet in this outstanding in-depth documentary.
‘Fighting is not about winning – it’s about losing and overcoming loss…’

Tyson: Unleashed is the ultimate boxing DVD and the ideal gift this Christmas for boxing and sports fans alike. The DVD is released on November 8th.

As usual in boxing there has been an ongoing war of words amongst the two camps dating back to last year and many of us had given up hope of seeing an all British clash between the pair ever taking place.

Indeed it is set to be the biggest all British heavyweight fight for a world title since 1993, when Lennox Lewis successfully defended his crown against Frank Bruno in Cardiff. Lewis winning that fight in round seven.

David Haye versus Audley Harrison will be another box office smash with a guaranteed sellout at the MEN.

The two fighters who were once good friends and sparring partners, could not help but trade insults at the press conference when the fight was announced, with Haye insisting;

“I don’t believe Audley deserves a chance but enough people want to see him finally destroyed, that is why this fight is happening.”

Harrison hit back with, “I am ecstatic at getting a shot at the title. When I land my left hand on him he is done.”

Haye, who has lost once in 25 fights carried on;

“The fight will be a public execution, his resume is not as good as that of the last five people I have fought. Everybody feels passionately that they want me to finally close the curtain on the joke that is the Audley Harrison show. Audley has known me for years, he knows how devastating I am in the ring. He knows it first hand from sparring sessions. I’m no joke. I’m the most devastating fighter on the planet. This is the time your career gets well and truly finished.”

Thirty eight year old Harrison, the 2000 Olympic gold medallist said;

“He is a guy I groomed, I have tasted his punches and power and he never hurt me in a training session. This is my destiny – on 13 November Audley Harrison will be champion of the world and of that there is no doubt. If David Haye thinks I’ve taken this fight strictly for a payday, he is in for a rude awakening.”

Roll on November!