Wladimir says Haye is “rated only in his own head”

By Boxing News - 12/27/2010 - Comments

Image: Wladimir says Haye is "rated only in his own head"By Scott Gilfoid: IBF/WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko (55-3, 49 KO’s) doesn’t see the 6’2″ 217 pound WBA heavyweight champion David Haye (25-1, 23 KO’s) as being a competitive fight for him and his big brother WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko. Both of the Klitschko brothers tower over the much shorter and lighter Haye at 6’6″ for Wladimir and 6’7″ for Vitali.

Haye, up until now, has faced nothing but older heavyweights without any power or speed since moving up to the heavyweight division in 2008. It’s fair to say that Haye has been carefully matched since moving up in weight and put in fights that he’s had much better odds on winning than losing.

In an article at the dailyexpress.co.uk, Wladimir had this to say about the 30-year-old Haye: “One of us [referring to Vitali and himself] will take on Haye next year and whoever it is will send him into retirement by putting him on the canvas. It doesn’t matter which one it is, both of us are far too big and strong for David Haye, who will be an easy payday for us. Haye is rated only in his own head – outside that nobody rates him. Haye is a good one for talking himself up but he lost as a cruiserweight and he will be nothing for us to beat. He will leave the arena embarrassed if he ever sets foot in the ring with us.”

Ouch, that hurts! I totally agree with Wladimir. Barring some nice rabbit shots by Haye, I see him losing badly against either of the brothers. The only way I can conceivably see Haye winning is if he goes hog wild throwing rabbit punches for all he’s worth and lands one in a choice spot on the back of Wladimir or Vitali’s head that knocks him out. Depending on where the fight takes place, Haye will either be credited with a knockout or disqualified. I suspect if the fight takes place in Wembley, Haye’s hand will be raised and the rabbit punch will be ignored completely.

This is why Wladimir is going to have to adopt a whole new fighting style for the Haye bout to keep his noggin from taking these rabbit shots. I’d say adopt a style where Wladimir leans backwards while fighting and keeps his head as far away as possible from Haye’s looping shots. Also, Wladimir can’t afford to clinch with Haye because this is where Haye is most dangerous for the rabbit shots. I can just see it, Wladimir trying to clinch and Haye going rabbit crazy by bouncing one shot after another off the back of poor Wladimir’s head while the referee just stands idly by ignoring the fouls.



Comments are closed.