Is Haye too Flawed to be a Heavyweight Champion?

By Boxing News - 07/02/2009 - Comments

haye87043By Eric Thomas: Heavyweight David Haye (22-1, 21 KO’s) has been proclaimed by some in the boxing community to be the be the next big thing, the savior of the heavyweight division. I can see why many people might think this, because Haye’s victories while fighting as a cruiserweight where very impressive with most of them ending in knockouts. However, I don’t know that Haye is the one that will be the next big thing in the heavyweight division.

Taking Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko out of the equation, neither of which Haye would have much of a chance to beat because of his limited height and weak chin, I have reservations about whether Haye will be able to take over the heavyweight division once the Klitschko brothers retire.

That’s about Haye’s only chance of becoming a champion. If he can wait the Klitschko brothers out until they retire in three to seven years, Haye could have a brief window as one of the champions for a minute or two, if Haye has anything left at that point.

In the worst case, Wladimir will reign over the heavyweight division for another seven years, retiring at 40, and leaving the division wide open at that point. Haye will be 35 by then, not too old to still compete at the top levels of the sport, but perhaps a little too far up there to hold onto a title for long.

In looking at the younger heavyweights that are competing now, Haye would likely have to deal with a prime and much improved version of 6’7” Deontay Wilder, who with his huge size and right hand power would be a grave threat for Haye to have to deal with. Haye would be in danger if he fought Wilder of being knocked out, and that would be a big obstacle that could prevent Haye from winning or holding down a title.

There’s also Alexander Dimitrenko, the 6’7” Ukrainian who has boxing skills similar to that of the Klitschko brothers. Dimitrenko, 26, is two years older than Haye and relies more on his reach and movement to win his fights unlike Haye, who depends entirely on his power.

In seven years, Dimitrenko will only be 33, and still in his prime. Super heavyweights like Dimitrenko and the Klitschko brothers are able to prolong their career due to their huge size, which prevents them from taking a lot of punishment in the trenches.

Haye would have to be very fast if he were to have a chance at beating Dimitrenko in for to seven years. Haye didn’t look all that fast on his feet in his 5th round TKO victory over journeyman Monte Barrett in November, and for that reason I have my doubts that Haye will be quick enough to beat Dimitrenko in the future.

Besides Dimitrenko, there’s also Alexander Povetkin, a shorter 6’2” former 2004 Olympic Gold Medalist for Russia. Povetkin will likely be badly degraded in four to seven years, and beatable. Povetkin will probably be a beatable fighter for Haye in the future. I think this is a heavyweight that Haye will probably be able to beat in the future.



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