Haye`s speed key to victory - big-fight preview
Four belts will be on the line in Hamburg tonight when Wladimir Klitschko and David Haye meet inside the ring. Wladimir is hoping to add Haye`s WBA crown to his array of gold and ensure the Klitschko family a heavyweight clean sweep as brother Vitali owns the WBC prize. The giant brothers have largely dominated the heavyweight scene since Lennox Lewis retired after defeating Vitali in 2003 but have failed to capture the wider public’s attention and have harshly been accused for their ‘boring robotic’ styles.
Vitali, who only returned to the ring in 2008 after four years in retirement, is considered the tougher opponent and Wladimir has joked that Haye has chosen the ‘weaker’ brother. That notion is founded by Wlaimir`s three stoppage defeats and his total of 12 visits to the canvas during a 15-year professional career.
Wladimir, 55-3, first captured a version of the world title back in 2000 with a point`s verdict over Chris Byrd who had won the WBO belt against Viali in his previous bout before losing it to Corrie Sanders three years later when he was destroyed in two rounds by the dangerous South African. Wladimir`s last reverse came in 2004 against Lamon Brewster, ironically the same year of Haye`s sole loss to Carl Thompson, and he displayed courage to win a points verdict over Samuel Peter in 2005 when he was floored three times. In his next fight, Wladimir claimed the IBF and IBO versions with a second win over Byrd and then he bagged the WBO strap in 2008.
The 35 year-old Klitschko has remained untroubled since the Peter bout and is now on a run of 13 consecutive victories including comprehensively dispatching both Brewster and Peter in rematches but many of his challengers have shown up physically and mentally unprepared. Wladimir won`t be afforded the same luxury against a peak athlete in Haye, who despite his disadvantages in height and weight, possesses lethal power and speed that could prove pivotal.
Following his shock loss against Thompson, Haye has notched up 14 straight wins including capturing three belts at cruiserweight with wins over Jean Marc Mormeck (getting off the floor) and Enzo Maccarinelli before gaining world heavyweight success in November 2009 when outpointing the mammoth Nikolay Valuev in Germany. In 2010, Haye (25-1) defended his title twice, stopping both mandatory challenger John Ruiz and a woefully inept Audley Harrison. Despite the ease of these victories, the 30 year-old Haye could still be considered something of a heavyweight novice with just five contests in the original showcase division, and aside from being knocked down against Monte Barrett (contentiously - assistant ed) in 2008, Haye has overpowered his opposition with only Valuev lasting the distance.
Beyond question, Klitschko will be by far the best heavyweight to face Haye which has led to him being installed as the pre-fight favourite, but to his credit Haye thrives in the underdog role and enjoys proving the critics wrong. Haye will also have the additional challenge of fighting in front of just under 60,000 onlookers with the vast majority rooting for home-town hero Klitschko who is determined to teach Haye respect following some unnecessary and distasteful comments form the Londoner and make him his 50th knockout victim.
When the long awaited clash was first confirmed, Haye seemed surprisingly subdued but outraged Klitschko earlier this week by threatening to leave him in an ambulance which prompted an angry response from both Klitschko brothers. Haye, and his trainer Adam Booth, are calculated in every department and have probably accomplished their goal in attempting to unsettle the usually together long reigning champion. On paper, Klitschko with legendary trainer Emmanuel Steward in his corner, appears to be in the ascendency having competed in 18 world title fights compared to Haye`s five but I envisage Haye starting fast in his quest to rapidly end the biggest heavyweight clash since Lennox Lewis stopped Mike Tyson in 2002.
Much of Klitschko`s success has been down to his jab and holding the centre ring which Haye will look to nullify by slipping under and firing overhand head and body shots before swiftly moving out of range. If Klitschko can get through the early rounds his confidence will grow and the contest could become intriguing. And if he begins asserting his jab effectively Haye may find himself on the back foot and playing into his hands.
But Klitschko, for all his physical credentials, will face immense difficulty in avoiding Haye`s devastating power throughout the duration of 12 rounds. Having promised something different, Haye could adopt a southpaw stance in his attempt to surprise Wladimir and I wouldn`t be surprised if the fight is over inside five rounds with Haye`s hands raised high. Then the noise for Vitali will begin to sound.
