Roach says the Klitschko brothers are winnable fights for Haye – News

By Boxing News - 02/02/2010 - Comments

Image: Roach says the Klitschko brothers are winnable fights for Haye - NewsBy William Mackay: In an interview with the Telegraph, trainer Freddie Roach gives World Boxing Association heavyweight champion David Haye (23-1, 21 KO’s) a good chance of beating both of the Klitschko brothers. However, Roach seems to think that WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko would be tough fight for Haye because of Vitali’s height and confidence. Haye, 29, has a fight coming up with former two-time heavyweight champion John Ruiz on April 3rd. Haye has to get by that fight if he wants to get to a big money fight against one of the Klitschko brothers.

Vitali has been the most eager of the Klitschko brothers for a fight against Haye. Wladimir, who came close to facing Haye last year until Haye experienced an injury with only weeks to go before their June 20th fight, has little to say about fighting Haye in the future. If Haye does fight the 6’7” Vitali, the chances are very slim that Haye will win. Haye didn’t look at all good in winning the WBA heavyweight title against Nikolay Valuev by a 12 round decision.

Haye injured his right hand in the 3rd round. However, Haye looked just as awful in the 1st and 2nd round as he did in the rest of the after the injury. Whatever the case, Haye would have to fight much better than that if he didn’t want to get knocked out and totally dominated by Vitali Klitschko.

Roach says “The thing is with the Klitschkos, you [Haye] have to jump on them right away and make them fear him right away. I think that’s his [Haye] window of opportunity. I don’t think he can outbox Klitschko.” Roach is right. Haye isn’t much of a boxer and is more of a pot shot fighter who looks to stun his opponents with one big shot.

Haye doesn’t really jab all that much, and his work rate is often very low compared to the Klitschko brothers, even though they punch just as hard, if not harder. With their six inch reach advantage over Haye, both Klitschko brothers could easily jab Haye into submission from the outside without getting hit all that often.

“Wlad is the better fighter and better athlete,” Roach says. “But he lacks confidence. David Haye, if he goes after him [Wladimir], he can put that doubt in his head right away. I think he can do well.” Haye could do well, and he also could get knocked out if he goes after Wladimir early in the fight.

Also, if Haye does after Wladimir, he will have to continue to go after him nonstop like Samuel Peter, Ross Purity, Corrie Sanders and Lamon Brewster, fighters that have had success against Wladimir, or else Haye will get pounded from the outside. Haye doesn’t move nearly as well as Wladimir and won’t be able to follow him around. And for that matter, Haye also wouldn’t be able to move laterally against Wladimir without getting speared over and over again by Wladimir’s hard jabs.

Speaking of Vitali Klitschko, Roach says “He’s much more mentally strong [compared to Wladimir]. He’s a tougher fighter. Not as big a puncher [compared to Wladimir]. Another winnable fight [for Haye], but Vitali uses his height very well. He’s a big tall guy. He used to be a kick boxer. He fights off his back foot.” Roach says that it’s a winnable fight for Haye, but he doesn’t break it down as to how winnable of a fight it is.

Personally, I’d give Haye a 1% chance to beat Vitali and a 3% chance to beat Wladimir. The only way I can see Haye beating Vitali is if he injures himself during the fight. At 38, a body part can blow at any time for Vitali. And as for Wladimir, Haye has a small chance of catching him with a big shot. But it’s very unlikely because he’s so short, fights timidly now that he’s a heavyweight and only throws one punch at a time. You don’t beat Wladimir fighting like that.

Roach, talking now about Haye fighting Ruiz, says “Style wise, that’s a very difficult fight. He’s [Ruiz] an awkward fighter. He doesn’t get knocked out. He doesn’t take chances. The thing is, though, if he [Haye] can out there and get him [Ruiz] out like nobody else, I think it would be good for his [Haye] career.” Of course, it would, but Haye would have to be willing to risk getting caught himself if he wants to take a chance and try and get Ruiz out of there early in the fight. I doubt Haye will want to do that.
“I’d like David to go out there and get back to his old way and his aggressiveness,” Roach says. “I think he’s a much better fighter when he’s being aggressive. Personally, I’d have him take him out in the 1st round and let him go for it, but not being reckless. He’s a very good fighters, and with this fight, I’d say it’s a very winnable fight for him” [Haye].



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