Some picks from Wazza and boxers: Emmanuel Steward, legendary trainer and current coach of IBF/WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko: "I may be wrong, but I favour David because of the speed. He is a very, very talented fighter and when we were preparing for him to fight Wladimir I was very much amazed that he has improved so much. He is a very smart fighter, he can outbox him." Ricky Hatton, former two-weight world champion: "David packs a lot of power and I think he can do to Valuev what no-one else has done and knock him out in sensational fashion." Enzo Maccarinelli, ex-cruiserweight world champion and former Haye victim: "Personally I think although Valuev is the easiest of the current champions to beat it is still a massive task for David. But he's got the style, skill and power to beat him. I do feel David can beat him and if he can put Valuev down, that giant frame is going to be hard to get off the ground. I think it will be a late stoppage." James DeGale, 2008 Olympic middleweight gold medalist: "As time has gone on I fancy his chances less and less. Valuev is humongous! If he doesn't knock him out in six I can't see it. He's not going to get a decision in Germany, is he?" Danny Williams, former world heavyweight title challenger and British champion: "I see David Haye outboxing Valuev. He's got great footwork, he's got that cruiserweight speed and he hits pretty hard as well. That combination makes for a David Haye victory, I think." Frank Warren, rival promoter: "An old Evander Holyfield gave Valuev a lot of problems and a lot of people thought he won the fight. Holyfield has got a good chin though and David Haye hasn't, in my opinion. I don't think he's got great stamina either. He's got to win that fight by boxing, not looking for big shots. Haye should beat him but I'm not a big fan of David Haye either :rofl. I've got to lean towards Valuev." Frankie Gavin, Britain's only world amateur champion: "Haye is the better boxer but I think Valuev is too big and will wear Haye down. I hope I am wrong but think Haye could be stopped." Matthew Macklin, European middleweight champion: "I think he will outbox Valuev over 12 rounds by using his speed and better skills. David will be too quick and too good." Tony Jeffries, 2008 Olympic bronze medalist: "If David's training has gone perfectly and he's super fit, I think he can beat him. If not he could get stopped. Haye is a massive puncher but Valuev is tough to knock out, he's never been down. I'd love Haye to bring the title back to Britain. Haye on points." Arthur Abraham, former middleweight champion, current super-middleweight contender and Valuev stablemate: "I think Nikolai is going to win. For Haye it will be difficult to come out of cruiserweight and fight a man that is as tall and heavy as Valuev. Haye is a good boxer, no doubt about that, but I believe that Niko will take care of business. He will control the fight with his long left jab."
Haye by stoppage. I'm not convinced Valuev will throw enough punches to bother Haye, even if it only takes one.
Well, http://PAF.COM offers a HUGE 1,87 odd for Haye´s victory! They have made it as an even money fight! It is worth of play! Haye is absolutely too quick for the giant! But is not able to knock Valuev so it will be by points.
Haye has a puncher's chance but this is what it's like to reach even the base of Everest. I hope he makes the trek. This content is protected
Valuev RSF around the 8th after holding & wearing him down. It's not so much Labourer V Artisan but something you might see at Appleby Horse Fair at a bare knuckle fight,though I dislike Hayes trash talk and admire Valuev's calm.
Valuev quits on his stool either round 9 or 10. No doubt about it though its gonna be a ****in nervous fight to watch....Valuev will land something of merit.
Trainers, fighters and BN staff make their picks. Good read: http://www.boxingnewsonline.net/BN08/detail.asp?id=1325
Can't see Haye getting that far but, if he does, can't see him getting a decision in Germany. Draw at 25s isn't out of the question.
I hope Haye wins, I want to see him fight one of the Klits, but I've gone for Valuev pts. I think Valuev could well prove trickier than a lot of people think he will.
I've pasted this from another thread I posted it in, but... My take, for what it's worth - Haye on points. Valuev has decent enough skills. He's got a decent jab and his size gives him obvious advantages. But Haye will work the angles. Get under and over Valuev's pawing jab (which does not return back to his face at even half the speed it is dispatched (which in turn is not that quick)). Watch for Haye making himself look small so that Valuev has to lean to reach him and Haye to then go in with uppercuts and hooks to the body. Haye has turned himself into a bit of a counter puncher of late and the only risk for him is someone quick enough to catch him. Which Valuev isnt. There will be as many non-scoring punches thrown in this fight as there are scoring ones as Valuev is made to miss and Haye throws a lot of shots at the Russian's arms. But the big ones that count will come from Haye's gun. If Haye catches anyone clean it's lights out. But I don’t seen him catching the big fella on the chin with a bomb. He'll catch the side of his head, body and arms. My only two concerns for Haye are that he may burn out late on. Or injury. If he does force Valuev into leaning and trys the uppercuts, there's a chance he catches the big fellas huge fod. Which will hurt Haye's hands as much as it will hurt Valuev. If he does that a few times his right hand will fall apart. Still though, too much speed from Haye. He'll out manouvre the Russian all night. Keep him turning and catch him with numerous shots downstairs and on the arms as the Russian turns like the Titanic. WAR HAYE!!
Classy from Enzo there, he must have checked his bitterness at the door when he left Team Calzaghe. I'm going for Valuev not getting up from his stool for round 10.