I'm curious about this fight. There are so many questions... How will Haye fight? - I personally think he'll follow more the Holyfield way than the way he fought Barrett where he was in love with his right hand and ultra-aggressive. He'll be naturally tentative when confronted with his first real test at heavy, especially with Valuev infront of him. I see him circling the ring as he's prone to anyway, jabbing to the body of Valuev, and looking to find a home for his right. Potshotting basically. Can Haye hurt Valuev? - I've no idea. Valuev has been noticeably stunned by the likes of Ruiz. Not seriously, but Haye is more powerful and explosive. I really don't know. Which leads me onto my next ?, can Haye fight 12 rounds risk free if not? - Haye has fought 12 rounds once in his career. Once. Against a limited opponent. What if he can't hurt Valuev and suddenly finds a 7 ft monster leaning on him, sapping his strength. Will his stamina and chin come back to haunt him... What if Valuev catches Haye? Can he catch Haye? - Valuev didn't land much against Chagaev. Depending on Haye's mentality he may or may not get more opportunities to land. The speed difference is huge, but still, Valuev must SURELY land something. It will be interesting to see Haye's response.
Haye should win, key word, should. Anything Holyfield can do, he can do better. But he is stubborn, and i think instead of simply using basic footwork combined with speed of hand to make Valuev look totally stupid with ease, he will rely on his right and try and take his head off. I'll say Haye by KO, but thats wishful thinking, it isn't hard to see Haye fighting an aggressive, stupid fight, and getting caught.
My gut instinct says Haye by decision but like Konaman, it is really easy for me to see Haye try and go for a knockout and get clocked. Even if Valuev comes in as awful and unmotivated as he was against Holyfield, a guy with a real work rate like Haye trying to prove a point will set off his instinct for self-preservation and he'll fire back. If Haye is too busy trying to throw himself into Hay(e)-makers and not using lateral movement, he'll be right there for the giant. I can't see Haye putting Valuev down, but quite possibly making him retire on his stool...
Where is the fight taking place? I have serious doubts that Haye will be able to get a decision against Valuev. If he doesn't win by KO, expect him to be robbed.
whatever. You get bent decisions wherever you are in the world. Just as much in USA than anywhere else.
Haye is yet to prove that he can match even a faded version of Holyfield. In theory he should be able to beat Valuev even more convincingly than Holyfield did. (May still get robbed; or should I say "King'ed"?) Hell, he has been out of the game so long, and has done so little at Heavy, that it is all just pure theory.
