By William Mackay: Former two division world champion Ricky Hatton thinks the July 2nd bout between WBA heavyweight champion David Haye (25-1, 23 KO’s) and IBF/WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko (55-3, 49 KO’s) may end very quickly with Haye knocking Wladimir out in the early rounds. Hatton likes Haye’s power, speed and explosive offense in this unification fight in Germany.

Speaking with Sky Ringside, Hatton said “I think it could be over pretty quick. I think he’s [Haye] going to shock everyone.”

Hatton foresees Haye coming out quick and getting a fast Audley Harrison type quick stoppage in this fight. It’s going to be tough, however, because Wladimir isn’t going to be just standing there the same way that Harrison was. Wladimir will no doubt be retreating every time Haye throws a shot. And with Haye’s offense consisting mainly of throwing one punch at a time, it’s going to make things a lot tougher for him than it would be for a heavyweight that has a steel chin and who is throwing combinations. Wladimir has never been taken out by a fighter with a one dimensional offense like Haye’s. Wladimir’s losses in the past to Corrie Sanders, Ross Purity and Lamon Brewster have come against fighters that had excellent chins and who threw combinations.

They also had better punching form compared to Haye and weren’t limited to throwing wild looping punches. For Haye to beat Wladimir he will have to get inside to throw flurries, because Haye’s long range pot shots will be blocked or come up short. At close range, Haye isn’t really a big puncher. Haye loses much of his power at close range is about as powerful as guys like Monte Barrett. Where Haye is at his best is at a distance with his pot shots.

Haye has very little chance of landing from the outside and lacks power at close range. What makes Haye dangerous at close range is when he sometimes lands rabbit shots when he’s attacking. That probably be allowed in this fight and we could see a disqualification if Haye hurts or Knocks out Wladimir with a punch to the back of the head. If Haye lands more than one rabbit shot, you can bet that Haye will lose a point.