Valuev: Haye has “the worst manners and the biggest-ever mouth in boxing”

By Boxing News - 10/10/2009 - Comments

valuev432By Sean McDaniel: World Boxing Association heavyweight champion Nikolay Valuev (50-1, 34 KO’s) had less than complimentary words to say about his November 7th challenger David Haye (22-1, 21 KO’s), commenting “He’s [Haye] one more idiot in this world, and just a stepping stone for me,” according to The Mirror.

Valuev, 36, is specifically commenting on the numerous insults that Haye has been raining on him every since their fight was signed. Haye, never one to hesitate to fire off a good jibe, went right for the throat when trying to hype their upcoming fight, remarking on Valuev’s looks, calling him “ugly” and saying that Valuev needs to shave his back.

These are the kind of comments that people might think inside their heads, but refrain from saying because of not wanting to be cruel. However, Haye has a certain childlike way bout him in which he says whatever he’s thinking, no matter how rude it might come across.

With Haye, it’s pure reality and it can be hard to get accustomed to if you’re his target. Haye had both Klitschko brothers infuriated with his blunt way of speaking about them, but thus far Valuev has seemed immune to his affronts. Although the fact that Valuev is commenting on Haye, seems to suggest that Haye might be still getting at Valuev under the surface.

Valuev: “Haye will go down in history for having the worst manners and the biggest-ever mouth in boxing.” Haye takes great pleasure in upsetting his opponents, which he does for two basic reasons: 1. to hype his fights with boxing fans. 2. to get his opponents so angry that they won’t stay focused when fight time comes.

Haye has a formidable task in front of him trying to deal with the huge 7-foot 325 pound Valuev. Haye might have a huge advantage in speed and power, but he’s going to be a lot smaller than Valuev and will have to find a way to deal with all that size. Haye has never come close to fighting anyone this large before and it’s unclear whether he’ll be able to navigate his way in range without getting brained by one of Valuev’s big clubbing shots.

Haye has a history of being hurt in fights as a cruiserweight and he may have problems if Valuev connects with a big shot. Valuev’s management is obviously aware of Haye’s weak chin and will be training Valuev to load up more on his shots. If Valuev can put even a fraction of his weight behind one of his clubbing shots, Haye won’t last long against him.

Valuev will be attempting to make his 2nd defense of his WBA heavyweight title. He lost the title two years ago in a 12 round majority decision loss to Ruslan Chagaev in April 2007. However, Valuev was able to win the vacant title last year in August with a 12 round decision win over John Ruiz. In his first defense, Valuev defeated 46-year-old Evander Holyfield by a 12 round majority decision. Valuev looked poor in the fight and many boxing fans felt that Holyfield should have won the fight.



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