Agreed. Wladimir has never had a problem physically with taking punches, it was all mental. And that's all been worked out over the last few years.
Thats not entriely true. I seen Wlad's legs buckle from punches most fighters shrug off. Watch the 3rd round of the first fight between Wlad/Brewster. Lamon was getting destroyed, but out of nowhere he lands a left jab that buckled Wlad's legs and put him into panic mode for a few seconds. Ledderman even gave Brewster that round on his scorecards. Thats be honest here. The last time Wlad actually had a decent blow landed on him was against Sam Peter in 05, and we all remember how often Wlad hit the canvas and panicked that night? I do believe Wlad is a **** load better now, than then. Though that can be credited to Wlad's top notch defense implicated into his fight game by Emanuel Steward from 04 to now. Wlad's chin hasn't changed, his defense has. Which is why he hasn't hit the deck in nearly 6 years.
I gotta give credit where it's due, Wlad's defense is unbelivable. Steward has worked some magic there. Funny to also note that all these guys he fights are sayin they will Crack that Chin, their faces change so quicky once that 1st Steelhammer jab lands.
No, he can't outbox Wlad, sorry. Oh, by the way, Wlad has a great chin. Anyway, saying this, he needs to pool Sanders or Brewster to beat him. There doesn't seem to be any other way. Can he do it? Can't pool Brewster, Haye is not made for that - there was an enormous emotional component in that first Brewster fight. So the only way is to rush Wlad like Sanders did. Will it work with the current Wlad? Don't think so. Don't bet your house on Haye, just enjoy the beating he will get. Good for him anyway...
Where was Haye's hit and move game plan versus Valuev? All I saw was the moving part. Against tall man, Haye is clueless. His chin will be a huge liability vs. Wlad and he will likely go for broke or run scared for 12 rounds.
He could barely hit and move Valuev. How's he going to hit and move Wlad? It could come down to Haye's psyche. Mental toughness, etc. Or we could see Haye coming out throwing wild nervous punches and possibly landing, and then gassing.