By William Mackay: In looking over some of WBA heavyweight champion David Haye’s fights at heavyweight, one can’t help notice that he’s relied at times on throwing rabbit punches. In fights with Monte Barrett, John Ruiz and Audley Harrison, Haye landed rabbit shots when he got in close to start throwing power punches. Given how dangerous rabbit punches are and how it can end a fight at a moments notice, Haye could end up hurting IBF/WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko (55-3, 49 KO’s) if Haye is able to connect with one of his rabbit shots.

It’s not that Haye tries to throw rabbit punches. I just think the guy ends up hooking hard arm around the back of his opponents head and accidentally hits them there when the action is heated. The referee could and should have taken care of Haye by penalizing him each time he threw one of those punches in his past fights, but as far as I can tell, the only time I saw Haye get penalized was in his fight with John Ruiz and that was only after he had knocked Ruiz down with one of them.

The referee, oddly enough still counted the knockdown even through he took a point away. But moving forward, I wonder if Haye can beat Wladimir without landing rabbit shots? I think it will be tough for Haye because his looping shots are much too obvious and will likely be blocked by Wladimir, and Haye’s straight shots are rare. I think Haye can’t win this fight other than hurting Wladimir with a punch that loops and connects to the back of his head. Wladimir will be able to stop the punches that are coming at his head from angles that he can block, but in close that’s where the real danger is for Wladimir.