Povetkin is an olympic champion who was one of the best ever heavyweight amateurs, so I think the hype early on in his career was fair. Povetkin arguablly lost to Huck, but he was out of shape and not prepared. He gassed and a pressurefighter who can't keep the tempo obviously sucks. But historically, his engine has been very good. This is what I'm saying in the second part of my post. If Povetkin prepares, he beats Haye :deal
It's hard to decide who to rank as the number 3 heavyweight. Povetkin's achievements are better (at heavyweight), but then he's fought at heavy for his whole career. On ability I feel Haye is probably still number 3, and I don't see why Povetkin should suddenly leapfrog him into third based on Wladimir beating Haye. You could certainly have Povetkin third based on Haye's inactivity, but equally you could hold Povetkin back for ducking Wladimir. At least Haye took his shot. Haye might have lost, but I suspect Povetkin would lose against Wladimir in a far more brutal fashion I'll put Povetkin third because of activity (not the illegitimate title he holds) but Haye can have his spot back if he beats Chisora next month
I think Haye would have a lot of trouble with Huck, just like Povetkin did. Huck's style is a terrible matchup for Haye's counter punching & flurry style. Haye could never trade toe-to-toe with Huck. So quit pissing on Povtkin for looking bad vs. Huck. Haye wouldn't have an easy night neither.
Regarding Hayes punching power, is it good? yes, is it overrated? Yes. Outside of Gurov and Enzo who has Haye starched? Fragmonelli was stopped due to accumulation, same with Johannsen. At heavy he hasn't stopped anyone early outside of Harrison and that's because he is crap. An old Ruiz had to be ground down (with illegal blows), Barrett kept getting up,Wlad was never troubled. A lot of Haye fans think the minute he hits someone they never get up! Listen, there's a reason Haye hasn't fought a live top ten fighter and hand picked his fights. For all the **** Adamek is getting of late I would argue his heavyweight resume is better than Hayes.
Judging by ability alone he is no3, if you were to rank him after he beats Chisora he will comfortably slot in at no3.
I would say there pretty even, a case could easily be made Chambers and Arreola are better than an old Ruiz IMO, and maybe even Valuev. People are underrating Huck, I too beleive Haye wouldnt have an easy night with him. Haye has some great wins, but he's never looked like the unstoppable p4per people often seem to make him out to be. Should probably not have too many problems wigth "Dough boy" Chisora though,
He is without doubt 2nd or 3rd. I honestly think right now he can beat Vitali going by Vitali's last few showings. He beats everyone outwith the Klits for sure.
I'll take the criticism coming my way after saying this, and rightly so, but I couldn't give a ****. I fancy Haye to stop Wladimir if they were to meet again. I think he'll slap some sense into Chisora without breaking too much of a sweat. However, currently you can't rank him higher than 3 in my opinion.
Any talk of Haye being 2nd best heavyweight above Vitali is nonsense. And Povetkin wasn't out of shape when he fought Huck, he was exposed as having a dodgy chin.
Talent wise he is the third best in the word, but he needs to prove it by fighting fighters in and around the top 5 i.e Povetkin, Adamek.:deal
