By William Mackay: Former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield (43-10-2, 28 KO’s) really likes what he sees of WBA heavyweight champion David Haye (25-1, 23 KO’s) and thinks that he can be a big star in the heavyweight division and also beat both of the Klitschko brothers. Holyfield, a small heavyweight like Haye, thinks the British heavyweight has the skills needed to beat the Klitschko brothers.

Holyfield, however, is seeing the speed and power of Haye, but hasn’t taken into account Haye’s poor chin, lack of height and reach, and his all or nothing way of fighting. Haye isn’t so much a boxer but a slugger who’s been forced to use his legs now that he’s in the heavyweight division. He has to protect his glass jaw and uses movement to keep from getting hit. It’s worked for him against the mostly aged fighters that Haye has been matched against, but it’s unlikely to help him against giant heavyweights like the klitschkos, who will have the reach and power to spear Haye while he’s running around on the outside and knock him out.

In an article at the express.co.uk, Holyfield said “Haye has the fastest hands, and hand speed can get you a long ways in this sports. I have been impressed with Haye. He seems very confident in his ability and has a great chance against the Klitschkos, who are very beatable. He’s a great fighter and he is getting better. Wladimir has been down a lot of times as a pro and Vitali is not very quick. They’ve had a lot of opponents who have not been at the highest level and Haye definitely belongs at that level. They should be great fights.”

Holyfield may not be aware of this but Haye, for some bizarre reason, is planning on retiring at the end of next year in October. So, Haye doesn’t have a lot of time to keep getting better as Holyfield is speaking about. He’s got the fights with one or maybe both of the Klitschkos and that’s about it. If he loses to the first Klitschko brother he faces, it’s pretty much all over for Haye. He may fight one more time after that against some more scrubs, but few people will likely care.

Holyfield has a fight coming up next month against journeyman Sherman Williams (34-11-2, 19 KO’s) in a 10 round bout on January 22nd at the The Greenbrier, White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. If Holyfield wins that fight and isn’t cut up, he will be facing 45-year-old Danish heavyweight Brian Nielsen in what amounts to an old timers bout on March 5th at the Koncerthuset, Copenhagen, Denmark.