Not to discuss Would/could/if/why/how But if he did, say dropped Vitali with a right hand, and then vitali got up slowly and Haye stopped him on his feet with unanswered punches, which is more likely than ko'ing him out cold, would you consider him number one in the division and the favorite going into Wlad fight?
Yes, if he can stop Vitali he can stop anyone. But it's not going to happen. This is a fact: Haye has NEVER in his entire career stopped anyone of note. He has NEVER landed a single, stunning one punch KO. He has NEVER had a fight where he has patiently picked his shots. He is not going to beat either Klitschko. Let alone KO them.
Well that would imply he actually threw some meaningful shots. He didn't. here's the thing that really bugs me about the whole Haye/Klit thing: If he felt the need to fight like that against Valuev, what is he going to do against either brother? IMHO Haye could win against either - but it will have to be another absolute stinker a la Valuev.
but you did state patiently picked his shots. that's what he did, he picked his shots and his time to throw them, whether they were meaningful or not is a different matter, he at least landed ONE meaningful shot which made Valuev look like Bambi on ice.
I honestly think Haye just thought before the fight "there's no way I can knock this guy out, i'm not even going to bother trying" And then right at the end he thought "**** it i'll have a crack" and then he had the big man wobbling, If he had done that earlier, I think we might have seen Valuev go down.
Only people he hasn't stopped since losing to Thompson is Abdoul and Valuev, unless you consider Valuev his only notable opponent then he has stopped: Ruiz, Fragomeni, Enzo, Bonin and Mormeck. Those I would say are notable stoppages even if they are not by any stretch of the imagination ATG's.
it was obviously their plan to take their time, so it does prove that Haye can box to instructions/plan and still pull it off rather than blasting people out. Leaving Vitali aside for the minute, I think he could stop Wlad and the mean reason I think that could be is Manny Steward. Steward is always badgering Wlad to go forward, he created a boring fighter to fight behind the jab. Wlad is so **** scared in taking a heavy shot. Against Chambers, Steward was doing his nut imploring Wlad to go forward and KO him, if he tries that **** with Haye then its bed time.
I thought that too, when he was landing his quick combos I never got the feeling he was putting all his venom in them. Maybe because he knew if he had at any point in the fight smelt blood he may have gone in for the kill and landed himself in trouble. In answer to the question, if he rocks Vitali in any way then people will stand up and take notice. Vitali is hard as nails, I also think it will worry Wlad a little because he knows and we all know he cant withstand punishment to the level big brother can. I think the whole rocking of Valuev will mean Haye knows he has it in him now so wont be as hesitant to have a go.
After Solis was wrecked by one counter I doubt an already frightened Haye will want any piece of Vitali, he will put in a sick note if there is any chance Vitali is the opponent.