Okay, I know theres been an abundance of Haye threads lately and this is another one but **** it its not every day we get a new heavyweight world champ. Anyways I was pondering on how Haye would be ranked in the history of British boxing greats if he defeated Ruiz and the Klitschko brothers to become undisputed champ. I know its not a given by any means but this is lets pretend as were now in a position to do just that, so opinions please....
Undoutedly the HW division has improved in the last few years: Vitali has finally returned, and there are very good contenders like Povetkin at Chambers. If Haye cleans up HW, which is a very difficult task, IMO, he has to be the best we have produced in the last 30 years considering his CW achievements as well. That said, this is purely hypothetical. I am chuffed to bits we have a new HW champ, but I won't be getting too carried away just yet. Vitali is still the man in the division, IMO. If Haye beats both Klits, then that would be something else.
you would have to rank him top 15 post war british fighter already. If he beats both Wlad and Vitali, only Lewis would be ahead of him as a British Heavyweight and he would have to go top 5. He would also need to go into the top 25 Heavyweights of all time. Would of loved to have seen Haye around in the 80's and early 90's do you include there amateur career as well, becuase World Championship silver medalist also adds allot to his legacy.
For me he is already on par with Akinwande and Herbie Hide but could jump way above them if he defeats both Klits.
Sure why not? He earnt it, amateur medals arent given away. I agree it would be hard to name fifteen British champs who've achieved more and hes only twenty-odd fights in to his pro career, its really sink or swim time now although I do feel hes the first legitimate challenger to the Klitschko brother's crown in years. It'll be tough to beat both though I'm not sure he'll manage it. Im sure he'll give it his best shot though and I hope he proves me wrong.