I agree he can't smother him b/c Valuev will use his size and strength to drain Haye's energy and stamina. And since Valuev has a better chin than Haye if Haye tries to smother he has more of a chance to get knocked down by Valuev.
Perhaps you're right sir. But you do realize that constant pushing is warnable. But in Germany I doubt it. Only Foreman gets away with these type of tactics but some consider it fouling in the same way excessive clinching is.
Whether he fights on the inside or the outside, he needs to KO Valuev, no way those nimrods in Germany will give Haye decision.
Haye has a massive challenge with Valuev. I honestly think Haye plans on stopping the big man at some point. I see Haye moving and trying to counter Valuev with single shots early. When Haye gets in range he will throw 3 - 4 punch combinations and then get the hell outta dodge. I don't think he can pull this off but if he does he deserves all the credit.
Haye lunges, is off balance, punches are very wide, shaky chin and no stamina, so he has a problem, unless Don King can talk Valouev into throwing the fight.
Wow. Just wow. Finnally somone with some sense! [url]http://www.eastsideboxing.com/news.php?p=21312&more=1[/url] :thumbsup
Excellent post. Haye's footwork is an under appreciated weakness of his. Haye should try to remain out of range (difficult) from Valuev, maybe make himself a tad smaller while he crouches - like Chagaev did. Then at the right times close the distance, let lose 2-3 punches, then step out and sideways and let Valuev lunge after him looking like a drunk grizzly bear. It won't be pretty, it will be a boring fight but it is the winnable strategy IMO. Haye should for ONCE in his life not concern himself with how good or bad he looks in the ring. It doesn't matter. He has the offensive skills to outbox Valuev, the question does he have the chin, stamina and footwork to do so for 12 rounds. This will be Haye's hardest and toughest fight ever. If Haye goes into this fight guns blazing and betting the farm on an early KO he may risk his chance of a lifetime on a stupid gamble.
Haye needs to box and move. But when he is in range he needs to fire quick combinations before getting back out of range. Pot shoting is not going to win him a decision in Germany. I also think it is important that he lands something big in the first two rounds just to make Valuev think twice. He needs to avoid clinching as much as possible and watch out for the upper cut when fighting inside. Thats the punch that I see causing him the most trouble. Otherwise I can see Valuev wearing him down and getting an easy UD.
Haye is too aggressive to smother him. If Haye is on the inside regularly its going to turn into a tear up and Haye might get caught with something stupid. Haye just needs to be his usual self and be efficient with his punches from the outside, except he needs to rely on his footwork to keep him out of trouble in this fight, rather than get lazy and try and use his upper body movement and stumble around off balance. The only time he should be anywhere near Valuev is when he is throwing. Holyfield made Valuev look stupid by utilising a bit of basic movement, Haye could do just that, but Haye isn't a smart fighter, and will pretty easily get suckered into exchanges. If Haye fights smart and conservative and shows Valuev respect, he has the tools to easily win, thats a big if though.
Smothering a guy who is 100 lbs heavier doesn't sound like a good idea, especially for someone who was the bigger man in the ring in all but two fights of his career. Haye needs to pot shot, make Valuev miss, measure his stamina and not fall back into bad habits. Haye sometimes showed brilliance and horrible mistakes in one minute. He has to be consistent against Valuev.
Looking at the betting odds, it seems that Haye is the favourite. I think Valuev has a great chance in this fight. The thing were still unsure of is just how good is Valuev's chin against a serious puncher like Haye. The thing that worries me about Haye is we don't know if he can take a punch at HW. I recall Monte Barrett apparently rocking Haye with a couple of jabs. What's gonna happen when Valuev lands????