Haye's lack of road work, good or bad?

True. And that's why I don't particularly rate Wlad's footwork as great. IMO, Vitali has terrific footwork, awkward looking at times, but I think he would've have done a much better job of catching Haye as he came in, or pivoting and countering.

I don't rate footwork that is performed in straight lines or when you have more than enough distance to accommodate your movement. It's when you don't have the space, when you have to create it with said footwork, that I rate.

I guess I just have different standards.

 

So I am the one who DKSAB, yet you are the one that can't provide the nexus you claim to know between Wlad's defensive tactics and what is considered good footwork. Yeah, I thought as much. :roll:

 

Oh **** off nut-hugger. Footwork is a integral part of defense, unless of course you employ tools like shell or shoulder roll defense.

Here's a suggestion. Watch some boxing, particularly Pernell Whitaker or Pep to see how important GREAT footwork, works hand in hand with overall defense.

Then watch a Wlad fight with arms and elbows being tangled up every other second and go kill yourself. :roflatsch

 

I think you are misunderstanding what Wladimir was trying to do in that fight. His objective wasn't to try to catch Haye as he was coming in and counterpunching. Rather, his stated goal was to jump back far enough to make Haye miss and fall off balance - and then immediately move back into jabbing distance in order to keep the pressure on so that Haye did not have time and space to launch his shots like he wanted. It worked perfectly because of Wladimir's balance and quick feet (for his size). Stepping to the side and counterpunching is difficult when the guy you are fighting is much smaller and faster than you are.

 

You're concentrating on the Haye fight. All his other fights look the same. It's not just some plan, he simply cannot do it or chooses not too because of his weak chin and fear of getting smothered and caught inside. Either way, he does not display the ability.

 

Neither were 6'7" 240lb HW's now were they? **** off idiot, you have no clue what you're talking about.

 

Well, he isn't a counterpuncher or inside brawler, that's true - but not every fighter needs to be. I don't think he has the same strategy for every fight, though, even if he does do some things the same. Anyway, I'd like to maintain that it's difficult to be a slick counterpuncher/inside fighter when your opponents are usually much shorter in hight and reach. A guy with really long arms can be at a disadvantage when you get into his chest. He did throw more hooks earlier in his career, though.