By Jim Slattengren: On June 20th, IBF/WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko (52-3, 46 KOs) defends his title against British heavyweight David Haye (22-1, 21 KOs) in Germany. Wladimir, 33, has now held onto the IBF heavyweight title for the past three years, but he’s failed miserably in fighting one fan-pleasing fight during that stretch of time, which has included six fights over mostly mediocre opposition.
However, it’s not the opponents that have made Wladimir such a dull champion, it’s his fighting style. Wladimir fights totally defensive, leaning backwards, throwing most jabs, flinching a lot, looking scared and throwing few power shots unless he’s dead certain there’s no risk of being hit in return. As a champion, Klitschko’s been a big disappointment and done little to bring excitement to the division.
Wladimir doesn’t give many interviews, at least to Americans, he rarely has anything interesting to say even when Wladimir does give an interview, due his recycling of his comments from previous interviews, and he’s generally lived up to what many boxing fans have expected from a heavyweight champion.
As much as I dislike Haye for not having worked his way into a title shot the traditional way, I think boxing and the heavyweight will be much better off if Haye knocks Wladimir out on June 20th. Say what you will about Haye, he’s not boring. He comes out the same manner in every fight, throwing huge haymakers and trying to knock his opponents out with every punch.
Indeed, Haye has knocked out 11 of his last 12 opponents since 2004, and has looked nearly unbeatable. Sure, most of the knockouts have occurred in the cruiserweight division, but Haye has brought his power with him to the heavyweight division and looks already to be the hardest puncher in the division.
Haye isn’t being given too of a chance at beating Wladimir, mostly because of Haye’s lack of experience at heavyweight, lack of size and his history of having a shaky chin. However, he’s only been beaten once as a pro and that was only after his opponent Carl Thompson was able to withstand his god awful shots to the head and come back to take him out in the 5th in 2004.
In a notable loss for Haye to Cuban Odlanier Solis in 2001, Haye was all over Solis in the first couple of rounds, hurting him with right hands. Although Solis would eventually win, Haye showed that it’s not possible to get a win over him unless his opponent is able to walk through a lot of hell first.
That, I’m afraid, Wladimir won’t be capable of doing. For him to beat Haye, Wladimir is going to have to take some monstrous shots from Haye before he can do. I doubt Wladimir’s chin will hold up for more than a round or two before Haye stretches him.
I think the heavyweight division needs Haye as a champion, because Wladimir has not lived up to expectations and is perhaps one of the worst heavyweights there’s been in years in terms of bringing excitement to the sport.
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