By Eric Thomas: Former World Boxing Organization (WBO) cruiserweight champion Enzo Maccarinelli (32-5, 25 KO’s) thinks WBA heavyweight champion David Haye (25-1, 23 KOs) can beat IBF/WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko (55-3, 49 KO’s) on Saturday night because of his the game plan that his trainer Adam Booth will have put together to beat the bigger Klitschko.

Maccarinelli is well aware of Haye’s power because he fought him in March 2008 and was knocked out in the 2nd round of the fight. Maccarinelli fought much in the same way that Wladimir will likely be fighting on Saturday, using his jab and trying to control the action from the outside.

However, Haye closed the distance and badly hurt Maccarinelli with a big right hand in the 2nd round. Once Haye had Maccarinelli hurt, he opened up with a highlight reel flurry that knocked Maccarinelli down. The fight was halted quickly with Haye awarded the 2nd round KO win.

Maccarinelli said this to talksport.com: “Adam Booth is a tactical master and I think he will come up with a game plan [for Haye to beat Klitschko]. He locks himself in rooms for hours and hours studying tapes to make sure everything is right and I think David’s chances are very high…Wladimir is one of the best heavyweights in the world, but he’s never fought anyone that throws punches at angles David will…David has to jump on him early.”

Maccarinelli, like a lot of people, is saying that Haye has to get to Wladimir early if he wants to win the fight. Maccarinelli feels that Haye will have problems with Wladimir’s powerful jab unless he can take him out before Wladimir gets settled and starts jabbing Haye to pieces in a methodical manner the way Wladimir generally does most of his opponents.