Apparently it didn't work, I wound up back here Seriously pulling for Haye here. Haye-Wlad has a better chance of happening than Valuev-Klitschko...and even if Haye-Wlad never happens, I'll take Haye on the entertainment, excitement factor alone. Unless you guys were thrilled with any of Valuev's last five fights of course.
Valuev has a nice shiny coat, a sign that he is in good shape, Haye is also looking very well trained, should be an interesting fight.
Dirty secret... the only Valuev fight I've ever seen was Barrett. The rest sounded too awful to waste time on. You think Haye pulls it off tomorrow?
Haye has a lot going against him. For one, he'll be facing the best jabber he's ever fought. If and when Valuev gets the jab going if, Haye has to figure out a way to avoid eating them like skittles. Valuev might not have much else but his jab is solid and Haye probably hasn't seen a guy with a jab as good as his. Valuev is also mammoth and if Haye starts getting smothered, there's no way his frame can hold up and maintain any power while getting laid on (proverbially) by Valuev. Haye's best chance is probably to use his superb hand speed and throw combinations at will on the inside. Get inside Valuev, let your hands go and force a clinch before Valuev can lean on you. Repeat the process, build up a nice lead and then force Valuev into the role of aggressor. That's not a role Valuev is very comfortable in and if Haye can play the maestro and make The Giant dance to his tune, he could potentially win the fight. That's A LOT to do though.
Haye be so fast with his shots and footwork, Valeuv won't know how to deal with him. Haye is impeccable condition. What a dedicated athlete.
97 lbs, plus the highth, plus the reach, plus Haye ring rust, plus haye extra weight (stamina), plus shakey chin on Haye, plus in Germany......... ....I think Haye will be in for a long night starting in the middle rounds when he starts to slow down Unless Don King has already picked the winner:hey:yep
Assuming of course, that his bulking up is/was legit. I don't have doubts but I've been surprised before.
along with the fact that muscle requires a lot of oxygen. Big bulky guys tend to gas (Briggs perfect example...yeyea I know he trains like ****) I am most interested to see Hayes stamina... the look on the out side can be VERY deceiving...(again ala Briggs)
Haye will beat Valuev to the punch all night and batter him pretty good, I expect a late TKO in a fairly one sided fight. Jameel McCline was catching Valuev quite often a few years ago before injuring his knee in the fight, and Chagaev connected often without getting countered en route to a decision victory. Haye is has faster hands than either of those guys and Valuev is slower now than he was then.
That didn't seem to bother Holy and Ruiz. Haye is taller than both of them. Likewise on Ruslan. The first two are legit concerns. That said it's not like Valuev has been a becon of activity either. Haye's last fight was in November, Valuev was in december. Neither one has been "doing much" as they say. The chin issue may be legit...but I don't think Valuev will ever catch Haye square on it. He's going to be 95% jab oriented IMO. Entirely possible. That said if Haye uses his pure speed and his faster hands to pile up a big lead early, he can afford to handle that weight issue. A decision against Valuev? I'd say we call that karma.
Not to belabor the issue of Haye's physique but I do agree with some of you all, he's certaintly a bit top-heavy. He looks like a bodybuilder rather than a fighter you know. We'll see how his balance looks tommorow.
I agree, Haye will be pushing his stamina to the limit, but it'll be wilding entertaining to see Haye move in and open up on Valeuv's head. (and you know he will, with his hand speed, not to mention his crippling power) How much of a beating can Valuev stand will be the variable as to how long it lasts.