"Take away his speed and power" Lol yes, take away most fighters two best attributes and they become average. Haye had ELITE level handspeed and power at cruiser I actually dont like Haye very much but he'd be a difficult guy for usyk because he won't let him get off his volume of jabs that he likes and Usyk doesnt have the power to take him out. Usyk wins a decision or haye knocks him out, flip a coin.
Haye faster footspeed, controls distance very well and posseses the threat of DEVESTATING counters. Usyk wouldnt be throwing high volume he's a smart fighter and would need to be cagey and pick his shots. Haye isnt a basic plodder.
I'm not saying imagine Haye without his speed and power, I'm saying take those two things away (or neutralise them with your own attributes) and he doesn't have much to fall back on. Usyk is a master at neutralising guys with power, and has plenty of speed of his own to match Haye's. That's what I mean.
He's a master at neutralizing slow flat footed plodders with power who have the turn rate of an aircraft carrier, yes. When your opponent has superior footspeed you need to show a bit more than circling away from the power hand. Since usyk hasnt yet (hasnt had to) im not just going to assume he can. So again, toss a coin.
This. A prime Haye wouldn't stand like a statue while letting Usyk score combination after combination while throwing back 1 punch in return. Abel was losing it in the corner. Usyk's punch volume would be considerably lower against a guy like Haye, who has handspeed, power, and is just as quick on his feet as Usyk. It would be a very tough fight for Usyk.
This..Haye was very elusive too, and used angles..If Haye landed on any Cruiser they will know about it..A fight I wouldn't put money on. Also, if Haye ever had him in trouble it would more than likely be over with his finishing skills..Usyk pts maybe, or Haye KO..They are capable quite clearly of beating each other with their attributes..I also think Gassiev is a killer just given to many angles last night
People tend to overlook how good Haye was because he had an annoying personality and cared more about money than legacy. But in his prime he was an absoloute handfull for anyone aside from prime Wlad. And no offence to Usyk but i cant put him on Klitschko level vs common opponents just yet.
Yeah, Haye was too small for an elite skilled super heavy like Wlad, but at cruiser he was elite himself, all time elite
Prime haye knocks him out. Usyk looked unstoppable last night but a prime haye is about as far from gassiev style wise as you can get