Povetkin, who is his mandatory. If he gets past Sasha, which I expect him to, he should fight Haye. I give Wlad a slight edge against Haye. If Valuev keeps winning, a win against Valuev would mean that Wlad has been beating good opponents one after the other since his last joke opponent, who I think was Fabio Moli.
POVETKIN for three reasons: 1. Its a good fight. 2. Haye is a great fight, but it deserves more build-up and Haye to take another HW fight first. 3. I want Vitaly to slay the giant, because Vitaly is better and meaner than Wlad - and he will do a more comprehensive job.
yes i think povetkin is a good fight as well but Wlad-Valuev makes more sense to me cause it's unification - Wlad's ultimate goal. If Vitali wins, he'll have two belts but when he retires they become vacant. If Wlad can get that fight now, take it. but Haye is not a great fight imo. it's been hyped mainly by Haye and the Brits. I'd like Haye to prove himself against a good boxer first. based on haye's last fight. i see this as a one-sided beatdown with wlad jabbing haye to death with only the occassional wild punch coming back in return.
Valuev nothing is more important than a triple-title holder (excluding the IBO) in the heavyweight division. ...even if it's impossible to get the fourth title ......unless Valuev wins, imagine Vitali vs Valuev for all 4 major titles (assuming this could happen before Chagaev interferes)
Of course, if Chagaev can get his **** together and then win some fights, that's the one I'd want to see.
chagaev has got to be a big question mark though. down the road, it's a possibility and might be a good fight. However, coming off an ACL injury, u got to wonder about his mobility. Chagaev utilizes quite a bit of movement in his game. and i wouldn't be too confident this fight even if signed could happen given his recent history of pullouts for various reasons. He is clearly skilled but I feel his inablility to use his right hand effectively make Wlad a prohibitive favorite.
It will be Povetkin. Vitali will take care of Haye. Valuev is a circus show freak who does not even deserve to be in the same ring as Wlad, but he may represent a good payday, after Povetkin.
Both Povetkin and Haye come to fight. 1. Povetkin in Spring 2. Haye in Summer: This fight could be so much bigger if Haye knocks out a top ten heavy in Spring. Maybe Aerrola - I'd love to see a Kellerman-Haye interview after Kellerman's comments about the "limited" Haye
HBO seemed to dismiss Haye as a shaky chinned cw...Greenberg must be willing to buy the fight. i think HBO will push for Valuev next though and settle for Povetkin or Haye if it falls through. I know Valuev must fight mandatory chagaev but ruslan is fighting in late february so they could sqeeze in Wlad-Valuev. there is a lot more interest by HBO in Valuev than povetkin as an opponent