David Haye, how do we rate him?

He seems to be regarded on here almost as a god. His pathetic performance against Wlad and his ridiculous oh-my-toe excuse are long forgotten.

The guy has had one fight in two years. I regard him as inactive, at best.

 

The difference between Brit fans and fans in other areas of the world are not that great in most regards, but in a few instances they are wider than the Grand Canyon (or English Channel, if you prefer).

I gather most non-Brits regard Haye much as I do -- a poseur who really hasn't done a lot heavyweight with a big mouth who doesn't back it up. What other fighter can have one fight in two years and have his supporters go on and on and on about how he is due a title shot (after chickening out in his previous shot) and he's being ducked?

Through Brit-coloured glasses, however, he is the most dangous man on the planet or some such.

It was much the same, in a different way so to speak, with Frank Bruno. He was and is considered much better by Brits than the rest of the world, and was/is more beloved to a Brit boxing fan base that never seemed to warm to Lennox Lewis for some reason.

Like I said, in most cases Brit fans are spot-on -- they see the flaws of Tyson Fury, for instance, and seem to admit that Froch is very good but not on the level with Calzaghe and was outclassed by Ward.

But Haye and Bruno look very different in their home country.

 

Wouldn't rate him over a genuinely good heavy like Povetkin, but why exactly would anyone rate Pulev over him? Haye may be an ego-maniac and I'm glad Klitschko embarrassed him, but he has actually beaten/knocked out good fighters and has accomplished a lot in the sport, who has Pulev beaten?

 

I honestly don't see this "Haye coloured glasses" view that you guys are trying to convey, not that many people here rate him as a "God" from what I've seen, a lot of brits hate the guy from what I've seen, speaking as an Irishman

 

Haye and Pulev have both only actually beaten one Ring ranked top 10 HW at the time of the fight. Messrs Valuev and Dimitrenko. Their records aren't really a million miles apart.

 

He's a very good puncher.
Overall, he's one of the least impressive 'alphabet champions' who has ever held a title at heavyweight.

I'd rate him in the top 10 heavyweights Britain's ever produced, but that's not saying much.

 

Monte Barrett - never more than a 'gatekeeper', 37 years old, not a genuine contender.

Niocolay Valuev - coming off a disputed win over 46-year-old Holyfield, and a 11-month lay-off. A discredited giant, 36 years old, looking physically older.

John Ruiz - no longer a genuine contender, a has-been, was never anything special in his prime. 38 years old

Audley Harrison - crap.

Wladimir Klitschko - world champion.

Dereck Chisora - a limited but game fighter, good domestic rival, and worthy at the time of a world ranking due to performances against Helenius and Vitali.

 

Dont personally rate him above Pulev and Povetkin,Al.If he beat either of these,IMO it would be his best win at the weight.But don't think he would.Was sorry about the Charr fight,that would have been a good yardstick.Again IMO a 50 50 fight.His best win against Valuev,though close.Ruiz slightly past it.Chisora overachieved with his 2 challenges,I believe.Ive got a feeling his fight with Scott won't happen,but if it does I think his stock will go down afterwards and Davids win won't look as good.Nobody can deny Dave was a fantastic cruiser,one of the best ever,but how would he have done with great "cruisers" of the past like Machen,Folley,or,dare I say it Cooper.

 

Part time boxer celebrity wannabe. Sells better than he fights.

I'm dissapointed overall, I really believed in Haye. There was an interview, many years ago now, where he said 'people watch me fight because they know I'm either knocking the guy out, or getting knocked out'. I think he actually believed that at the time.

It's almost like his bottle went when he got within touching distance of his goal.

 

Great Cruiserweight Average Heavyweight not one stand out performance as a heavyweight yet will be defined by the toe incident unless he redeems hhimself

 

He's got ability, but doesn't fight anywhere near enough.

He thinks he's better than he is. He may well be the second best HW in the division, but, there is no evidence to back this up other than opinion!

I also thought he was lucky to get the nod against Valuev, which IMO could easily of went the other way.