By William Mackay: Former IBF/WBA/WBC/WBO super middleweight champion Joe Calzaghe thinks World Boxing Association (WBA) heavyweight champion David Haye (25-1, 23 KO’s) has to fight the Klitschko brothers now. Speaking Sky Sports News, Calzaghe said “David Haye has to fight one of the Klitschko brothers without a doubt. The older one [Vitali Klitschko]. They’re both pretty formidable opponents. But he needs to fight, and he deserves to fight. I think he has a great chance.” Calzaghe did a great job of picking Haye to beat Audley Harrison. But in this case, I think Calzaghe’s prediction is off by a million miles. I agree that Haye deserves to fight one of the klitshkos, but as far as having a “Great chance” like Calzaghe says, I think Haye stands a great chance of being knocked out but not winning.
Haye might have teeny chance of beating Wladimir if he can land enough rabbit punches when Wladimir attempts to clinch him. But it looks like Vitali is stepping in front of Wladimir in this case and insisting on being the one to fight Haye first. I’m sorry but Haye doesn’t stand any chance at all against Vitali, none. Haye will likely run around the ring all night long trying to land an occasional pot shot and praying that he can hurt Vitali. He won’t. And I expect Haye to land his rabbit shots if Vitali tries to clinch, but Vitali, unlike Wladimir, never clinches. Haye will have dive at Vitali and get in close to try and flurry with his shots. That won’t happen and if it does, Vitali will shut him down and likely take him out fast.
I can see Haye and his trainer Adam Booth pushing to get a fight with Wladimir in hopes of getting a softer target. They must know that Haye’s dreams of fighting both of the Klitschkos and making a huge bundle before getting out of the sport next year ends with a fight against Vitali. Haye will be chopped down by Vitali, and there won’t be any reason – or interest – in Haye fighting Wladimir after that. I mean sure Haye could stick around, win a few fights to redeem himself and then try and talk enough mess to get a fight with Wladimir. However, with Haye talking endlessly about retiring next year in October at the age of 31, he won’t enough time to work his way back into an fight with Wladimir. Basically, Haye is done once Vitali chops him to pieces. This is why I have a strong suspicion Haye will ignore Calzaghe’s advice and will stick to fighting soft targets in the division to milk his title until he retires next year. A fight against Vitali is the end for Haye, and the end of the gravy train.
Calzaghe wasn’t pleased with Audley Harrison’s dismal performance against Haye. Calzaghe says “Now it’s time to get out [speaking about Harrison]. It’s not a very good performance. It’s not a good advertisement for boxing, is it? It was the heavyweight championship and it was such a poor performance.”
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