Haye v Harrison - BoxRec News staff predictions
It's always a tricky business, metaphorically putting your head on the block. Our Frankie Monkhouse does it every week with his betting piece and has a great success rate (see his column on the big fight later today). Even when you get it almost completely right, you end up getting it wrong. Imagine all those Sprott backers lighting cigars at the start of the 12th against Big Aud? Pow, out of the blue, and you've done your money. Again. Anyway, for what it's worth, here are the verdicts from the BoxRec News jury.
David Simpson: I expect Haye to completely demolish Audley Harrison, inside three rounds. I give Audley next to no chance. Not no chance, because he is a man, with arms, and theoretically it is possible that he could win. But only in the same sense it is theoretically possible that I could win, or Dermot O'Leary could win, or the bloke who presents the breakfast show on BBC could win. The Audley Harrison saga will finally end on November 13th and it could be quite brutal. Haye inside three.
Will Hale: If Sprott can stop Audley, then Haye definitely can too. It's a great back page fight for British boxing, but Audley is a 39-year-old professional underachiever and Haye could be the man to end the dreary Klitschko era. David Haye before round six.
Jon Briggs: My money is on David Haye all day long. Come on, he is fighting Audley Harrison you know? The big difference for me is, Haye is a world class fighter, Audley is not. Harrison has failed to impress throughout his pro career which leads me to think he has little chance of winning this one. Haye KO - rounds two or three.
Jamie Albrecht: I am going for Haye within three rounds in this fight. I expect him to win in much the same manner as the Enzo Mac bout. Haye will not want to embarrass himself by allowing the fight to go onto the later rounds, and I believe he will be stringing swift combos together a la the Ruiz fight from the off. Much has been written about the Harrison left, though he only landed the shot in the dying round against Sprott after falling heavily behind. Haye will jump on Harrison and not allow the momentum. Haye inside three.
Kevin Roberts: It's a great event, but won't be a great fight. Audley will not have metamorphosed into something he has never been, not at the age of 39 after so many false dawns. Haye will simpy be himself and that will be more than good enough. Haye KO inside three rounds.
Altaf Mubarik: Haye is too mobile and fast for Audley. He also possesses the harder punch in my humble opinion. For that reason I predict a Haye knockout win within five rounds.
Martin Dobbing: I have full respect for Audley , but this strikes me as a cynical match up to gain PPV numbers. Audley has always bottled it on the big occasions, and I see this as being no different. I just want Haye to sign to fight the Klits and go through with it, heavyweight boxing needs this! Haye in the second round.
Craig Mackay: The mainstream media want to hype this into a 50:50 fight and more and more people are predicting Audley to complete the fairy tale and become world champion. However, this isn’t a fairytale and the facts are that Haye is a better boxer in every compartment. Haye by third round stoppage.
Martin Williams: I can only see this going one way. Audley will come out tentatively while Haye looks for a knockout. I've a feeling Harrison will hang on in there for a round or two but when Haye gets the bit between his teeth there is no stopping him. There is a gulf in class and I see Haye stopping A-Force in the third round by KO.
Chris Royle: Hopefully with this straight forward win Haye will fight a Klitschko in Easter. Haye stoppage in the third round.
David Statham: I can't see anything other than a Haye victory. Harrison seems to believe it's his destiny to win, and he certainly talks a good fight, but unless his mind games have had their intended effect on his opponent I think Haye will end the fight inside five rounds.
James Howard: Haye is favourite, though there is a concern that he may be over eager to land the big shot without first breaking Audley down. Ultimately, Audley’s reluctance to engage will cost him. As he hesitates seeking the perfect opening, Haye will corner him and retaining his title around the fifth. Haye in the fifth round.
Steve Walsh: Sky have done a remarkable job in marketing this. Audley initially was lampooned as a no hoper but people see him as having a puncher's chance. Doesn't every heavyweight? Can't see it myself, athough might go for the better odds of late Audley stoppage. Arghh...don't know! Haye in the fifth round.
Steve Wellings: I don't buy into the new found belief that Audley suddenly has the tool for this job. It's mostly coming from SKY who no doubt want to turn a one-sided affair into a marketable PPV attraction. I just think back to Harrison's display against Sprott (barring the spectacular finisher) and don't see how he can win here. Haye has the advantage in both speed and power. This is going to be similar to Haye-Macarinelli in my opinion. Haye by third round knockout.
Chris Akers: Harrison has been training harder than he has done. Some are predicting a shock in store. But for an upset to occur in any sporting contest, the underdog has to be fully prepared and the favourite under prepared. That is not the case here. I think the fight will be in a similar vein to Lewis vs Bruno, in that Harrison will perform better than expected and give Haye problems (especially from his southpaw stance). Yet ultimately Haye's class will tell and he will stop Harrison in round eight. Haye in eight.
Brendan Galbraith: Audley has the size and reach advantages and, a one-punch KO shot, so he is a much more live opponent than Ruiz. Haye's defence against Ruiz looked leaky and he has a suspect chin - so in theory Audley has a chance to cause the upset. However, Audley doesnt work hard enough and goes missing in too many rounds, and while he is looking to land his left hand Haye will be controlling the ring, imposing his game plan and methodically dishing out a beating to Harrison. Haye's hand speed and superior footwork will ensure that he lands his bombs and takes Harrison out in emphatic style. There will be no fairytale ending in this fight for Harrison, it will be an easy pay day for Haye - who will finally have to face his own hype afterwards and fight a Klitschko brother. Haye to win by fifth round stoppage.
Eric Armit: It has to be Haye and early. Harrison just does not have the power or the style to hold off Haye and Harrison's "rebirth" is a great con. Haye, anytime from round one to three.
Chris Warne: Harrison revels in the role of the underdog and in David Haye he faces an opponent who is by no means infallible. Haye may have the technical credentials but I don’t think he has the hunger and heart of Harrison. I’m backing Harrison to win by way of a tenth round stoppage.
Ben Carey: I desperately want to believe in Harrison, but I can’t erase the memories of his previous four defeats against fighters several leagues below Haye. Audley will give it everything and is likely to be competitive early on, but Haye’s ice-coolness under pressure, lightening speed, greater power and pinpoint accuracy will ultimately bring the curtain down on Harrison’s lingering dreams within six rounds. Haye by sixth round stoppage.
Nelson Stanley: As a Haye nut-hugger I've long suspected that Harrison has the size & the tools to do David up like a kipper. I shall watch from between clenched fingers, with my lucky seat antimacassar from the Mormeck fight draped over my shoulders as a talisman. Harrison in nine.
Ian McNeilly: Yes, he can...but will he? As I've always thought, Harrison has the physical tools to win. He showed fantastic heart against Sprott. But he'll have to box a far different fight than he normally does to win. At 39, this is a big ask. Almost certainly too big. Yes, he can. But he won't. Aud to box with survival in mind from the off, hoping two things - to catch Haye with a big 'un or to pounce late if Haye tires. Haye on points in a stinker.
