Is it just me or has Wlad morphed into a good guy?

Safe, intelligent but with some admitted deficiencies, Wladimir Klitschko has been a figure of derision from a lot of boxing fans for some time. It was always hoped that Haye would be the guy to take him out, and bring some excitement back to the Heavyweight division.

But Hayes stock has fallen since his own safe performance against a bigger, but far less talented and dangerous giant in Valuev. The Audley debacle pushed his good reputation back further.

Now Wlad is playing the good guy. He has been shown to be polite and respectful, and Haye has looked a child to be honest.

Anyone disagree, and think this is just part of Hayes plan, to act so stroppy?

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CY2L8oWVG5A[/ame]

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CoJisW6c164[/ame]

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNAshGieAJw&feature=related[/ame]

How many British fans are rooting for Wlad? Would beating a fighter as fast and dangerous Haye may well validate his long reign against some seemingly poor challengers?

 

Wlad was always the good guy though.

As I'm sure most of your know, I'm not British, but I could honestly say with my hand on my heart, that if Haye was Irish I'd still be rooting for Wlad.

 

I want Wlad to win, mainly because I dont like haye but I do think Wlad is a good man and also underrated by the average boxing fan imo

 

He has the most boring style of any linear Heavyweight champion in my opinion, I certainly will not be going for him.

 

His act is far too manufactured, with the 'shake my hand', 'look how disrespectful Haye is' etc. He's probably a nice guy but comes across as quite fake IMO.

Haye certainly hasn't helped the promotion of the fight. Perhaps he is just focusing on the task at hand, or he's trying to get a mental edge not responding how he would be expected to but he's more subdued than he has been in the past.

 

Oh, another I love Wladdy thread, yippee!

 

I voted
'I don't care about the build-up, just hoping for a good fight'
cos that was the nearest to
'I dont care about the build-up, nor who's 'Mr Nice', I just want Haye to win 110%'.

 

To be honest, I didn't care about any of the pre-fight bollocks, but it's actually Wlad that's gotten me slightly interested in it. The first time around, before the cancelled fight, he looked rattled by a lot of Haye's antics, now however, he's been much more classy, and he's essentially reversed things around.

He's frustrated the man who set out to be the frustrater, and rather than get under his adversary's skin but not putting himself in a great light like Haye did, Wlad's managed to almost cover himself in glory while pissing Haye off.

 

Surely the fight is as big as it is because of Haye and his schoolboy antics over the last 2 years.

 

Theres really no need for a lot of trashing talking from Wlad or Haye for that matter, because the fight is signed. This fight should sell it itself anyways, based on whats happened between the two of them over the last few years.

 

Wlad has always being a nice guy, if he was just more entertaining in the ring then he'd have a lot of fans.

 

This. Its nothing to do with Mr Nice for me, just more who is an exciting fighter and obviously nationality plays a part.

 

Not in the last few months.

 

This is what I'm saying. Are those who wanted to see Haye beat him for his boring, clinical performances now rooting for Wlad due to Haye not appearing the potent force he once was (in manner more than performance, I don't think many were expecting to be the new Tyson once he stepped up or anything, but Barrett, Valuev, Ruiz and Audley over such a long time is fairly disappointing IMO) and not really being the guy to root for.

I used to think Haye would move up and do it, and was a big supporter of his. I'm just not as much of a believer now, for a number of reasons.

 

Tis true. It must be hard work acting like a prize **** for 24 months so he's probably letting it slip! Come on david, you can do better than that!

(In truth - the fight is already well sold so why put extra energy into it now - concentrate on the fight and all that)