Bruce Woodcock v David Haye

I pick Haye over all those you mentioned.

 

On what grounds?

His Heavyweight resume consists of wins over a faded Monte Barrett and John Ruiz, a debatable decision over Nikolay Valuev, a stoppage of a pathetic Audley Harrison, a gutless effort against Wlad and the circus act against Chisora.

So you give Haye the title of the second greatest h2h British heavyweight based on this???

You're a smart guy but I just don't get why you rate him so highly off of so little.

 

I don't rate him second greatest, not by a long shot. I do rate him second best h2h.

Based on the eye test more than anything else and when doing cross era comparisons the cw division plays a large part also.

In his prime he lost to Wlad whilst amassing victories over:

Valuev, Ruiz, Chisora, Barrett, Mormeck, Maccarinelli, Fragomeni, Gurov, Abdoul.

Is it the greatest resume? no, but it's enough that I can label his skill set legit. He was out of his depth against Wlad, but I don't think anyone in british history outside of Lewis is anywhere near that level neither.

Hay has explosive hands in both speed and power. His upper body movement is top class. The guys you listed, I don't see what tools they have to beat Haye. I'm not saying it wouldn't happen, but I am saying if I was a bookie I'd make them all underdogs against him.

 

Granted he has impressive physical tools and his Cruiser efforts were very good but at Heavyweight he's done next to nothing, certainly not enough to favour him over a big, powerful legit heavyweight like Bruno (whose losses to Smith, Witherspoon and Tyson 1 are arguably as impressive as wins over Harrison and Chisora ever were).

Would Haye be able to beat Lennox Lewis for 7 rounds, last 12 with Joe Frazier or even find a way to beat a 6'7 Heavyweight with decent skills like Akinwande?

I just don't see it based on what he's produced thus far.

 

Styles make fights and I seriously doubt he'd last twelve with Frazier nor be ahead after 7 against Lewis.

I do however think he could outlast Bruno until he tired and finish him off with a come from behind knockout.

Akinwande is an interesting one, I always felt he had more to offer than he showed. and Certainly more than he showed against Lewis.

It mainly comes down to the eye test with this for me. I watch Haye, I watch those you listed and I think Haye can do it based on his performances in the victories I mentioned.

 

I tentatively go for Haye I feel his speed may be the key in this match up

 

I make you right there, I was thinking the same when I read the point you are referring to.