With David Haye having made a successful first defence of his WBA Heavyweight crown against John Ruiz, what are his strengths and weaknesses, and prospects for more heavyweight glory?
Well let’s first take a look at the positives from Haye’s heavyweight fights so far.
Power. Well one thing’s for sure, if Haye hits ‘em he’s going to hurt ‘em. His power has travelled up to the heavier division very well. It’s maybe not quite what it was at Cruiserweight, but that’s only to be expected.
Some may argue that he’s not scored an actual knockout with the opponent failing to beat the ten count. That’s irrelevant however, he’s hurting people enough to knock them down, or in Valuev’s case, seriously stagger them. Be assured, if Haye lands anywhere close to Wladimir Klitschko’s chin, he’s going down.
Some are saying Haye’s power may be the hardest in the sport, I think Edwin Valero may have something to say about that! It’s a bit of an exaggeration maybe, but his opponent’s will always be wary of David’s much vaunted one-punch power, it has to be respected. No one else has made Valuev tap dance like a drunken old alcoholic with tintacks in his boots that’s for sure.
Looking back in history, not that many heavyweight champions always put their opponents down for the full count, and Haye’s ability to score multiple knockdowns is a great advantage in a fight that’s close on the scorecards. Indeed, even one 10-8 round can be enough to tip the balance on the judge’s cards at the end of the fight.
David may need to use his power a little sparingly at times though, his mitts can be a little fragile, and hopefully this won’t become an issue.
Speed. Both Haye’s hand speed and footwork are superb for a heavyweight. David can counter an opponent very quickly indeed, and lets the combinations flow beautifully when he’s in the mood. His footwork helps him to keep out of serious harm, something he needs as his defence can be a little leaky at times.
As he showed in the fight against Valuev, if David doesn’t want to get hit, he can be very elusive and frustrating to fight, all the while keeping out of range and looking to counter. The speed and force of the blow that caused Nikolai to have ‘upright posture’ issues, was like a radar guided missile. Imagine THAT landing on ‘Mr Heavyweight China Chin’ Wladimir Klitschko! Cries of ‘Timber’ will be heard as he crashes unconsciously to the canvas, and Haye dances off into the sunset carrying his belts.
Attitude. Haye’s efforts and attitude to training, and the fight game as a whole, are impressive. He’s not got lazy about keeping a good fighting weight since moving up to heavyweight. Many in the highest division seem to care little for their weight and appearance of their waistline, Tony Tubbs springs readily to mind. This is anaccusation that cannot be aimed at Haye. His physique is far removed from such former heavyweight bruisers such as ‘Two Ton’ Tony Galento and Eric ‘Butterbean’ Esch to name but two. When times get tough in the ring, good conditioning can make the difference in getting through the bad spells, and getting a fighter his second wind.
David is also well dedicated to the sport. He’s focussed on the job, and willing to fight anyone, even in their backyard. Indeed, both Haye’s world titles were won on foreign soil. Many fighters dislike the challenge of fighting a champion on their turf, David’s supreme confidence enables him to view any task as achievable.
With Wladimir Klitschko being used to fighters showing no confidence in their ability to win, the relaxed, confident demeanour of Haye will come as a shock to him. Especially when he realises that he’s in for a hard fight and David’s not turning up just to make up the numbers.
Now let’s take a look at the negatives.
Chin. Now let’s put one thing to bed immediately. Haye’s chin is not as bad as it’s sometimes made out, it’s not the sturdiest out there yes, but it’s no Amir Khan that’s for sure! Yes, he’s been stopped as a cruiserweight, (more of that later), but as a heavy, he’s yet to hit the deck. Ok, so he’s not faced a real puncher at heavyweight yet, but he’s taken a few hefty whacks and stood up to them. People with true glass jaws like Khan are unable to take punches from lower-weight non-punchers. David has passed the test at heavyweight so far.
Obviously, Haye was decked at cruiser by a journeyman in Lolenga Mock, but he got up to win. (As he did against Mormeck to win the world title) I think it’s fair to say though that he needs to protect his chin as much as possible, it is vulnerable to a hard shot, but who’s isn’t? If David’s chin was as fragile as some think, he’d have been over already at the higher weight. He’s had four fights at the weight now and is still standing, not bad for someone with a perceived dodgy set of whiskers.
David’s chin may struggle to stand up to a Klitschko bomb, the onus is on him not to let them get a chance to land. Attack is the best form of defence, and if he comes out fast, getting inside either Klitschko’s jab, the chin may not be such a problem. It has to be hit remember, and David may just bear that in mind, not giving anyone the chance to hit it. He can’t afford to be as sloppy as he was at times against Ruiz though.
Stamina. This leads nicely on from the chin issue in that Haye is like Frank Bruno with regard to chin/stamina issues. Big Frank could take a crack on the chin, it was more when he was exhausted that he capitulated. 
Haye’s loss as a cruiser to Carl Thompson showed the real issue, stamina is more a problem than his chin. David wasn’t KO’d against Thompson, he was just gassed. Don’t believe me? Review the fight. Haye had been staggered and floored by Thompson, but was on his feet and attempting to punch back when the fight was stopped. He wasn’t counted out in the classic hard-punch-meets-glass-jaw scenario.
David’s stamina problem is a serious one though, he looked tired after the first couple of rounds against Ruiz, although he did gain his second wind. Once Haye loses his energy, his punch output falls alarmingly, he’s very vulnerable at that point, especially as it’s so obvious his opponent, who will be able to take command of the fight.
His biggest problem will come when he’s placed under constant heavy fire, something that’s not happened so far since he moved up in weight. That’s when Haye might not get the chance to recover to the point where he gets his second wind. A live, world class and ambitious opponent should be able to take advantage.
Wildness. Haye can get a little overenthusiastic and wild at times. His overhand right can leave him horribly exposed when he misses his target. As seen against Ruiz, he also threw many rabbit punches, whether or not these were intentional isn’t the issue. He was deducted a point, and in a close contest, every point is valuable, none can afford to be lost. Fussier referees may take a dim view, repeated infringements may lead eventually to disqualification, especially in an opponent’s backyard. David needs to keep his cool at times, but at least he’s excited enough to open up, unlike another heavyweight belt-holder.
Haye’s chances against WBO/IBF/IBO Champ Wladimir Klitschko.
David needs to fight going forwards, backing off as he did against Ruiz would be suicidal. Haye’s fast hands and feet will give him the chance to get inside the long arms of Wladimir, who is known to panic when rushed by an opponent.
Wladimir is in a huge comfort zone at the moment, he never seems to fight anyone with any ambition, drive, and will to win. They are attributes that David has in abundance, and they are the advantages that can lead to a Haye victory. Remember Wladimir’s first fight with Lamon Brewster? His stamina looked pretty suspect too, and Haye could take advantage of that. It’s not really been tested much lately. It’s easy to go long distance when nothing’s coming back at you, David could pressure the big man long enough for him to tire. Although I do think Haye’s best chance is a quick blow out of the fragile champion.
Given the fact that a feather duster tickling his chin can send him to sleep, Wladimir is in dreadful danger from the power of Haye. If David comes out and means business right from the start, it could be quick. The blueprint that Haye should use is that of a prime Mike Tyson. At his destructive best, Iron Mike would be inside a taller opponent’s jab almost before they’d thrown it, and uppercutting and hooking his way to victory. Another tape for Haye to study would be the Corrie Sanders-Wladimir Klitschko fight, although Wladimir has improved as a fighter since then.
If however, Haye allows Wladimir to take the initiative, he’s in real trouble himself. Given the fact that David likes to boast, Klitschko may for once be feeling hostile enough to let rip with his powerful right cross. A punch that will surely send the British fighter to sleep if it lands flush.
On balance, I’d go with a Haye victory. His speed and power will be more than enough to disorientate Wladimir, who seems to display the same panicked expression as Audley Harrison when an opponent actually has the audacity to advance, and God forbid, throw a meaningful punch in his direction.
Haye’s chances against WBC Champ Vitali Klitschko.
This is the harder fight for Haye, Vitali is one tough cookie and is used to hard fights. Remember his epic duel with Lennox Lewis? That was a brutal give-and-take war in which neither man would back down.
Vitali’s biggest advantage is not so much his size, it’s more that fact that he uses that advantage perfectly, keeping fights at range. He’s more aggressive than his brother, and can keep a ‘live’ opponent at distance, Wladimir has great difficulty in overcoming opponents who genuinely want to win.
One can see Haye being picked off for as long as the fight lasts, indeed his only chance against the big man may be in waiting before taking the fight, given that Vitali is getting older, and perhaps slower, all the time.
It’s a daunting task though, if Lewis couldn’t put Vitali on the deck, I’m not sure I can see Haye managing it, but there is a first time for everything. Maybe David can get to Vitali on the night where he’s taken one fight too many?
I think a Vitali Klitschko stoppage victory is the likely outcome. Haye may survive to the middle rounds, but not any further. David’s chin is likely to be tested hard and often by Vitali, I’m not sure it’s up to the task. Haye is brave and proud, he’ll give it his best, but it won’t on this occasion be enough to take the win.
Conclusion. Haye is an exciting new addition to the division, and his WBA belt, although pretty worthless, is wanted by the Klitschko’s. This should see him in the ring with one or both of the brothers before long. It’s a great prospect to look forward too, maybe with the added bonus that we may end up with just one fighter holding all the belts. The division certainly needs an undisputed champion, indeed the sport is much better off as a whole with a recognised and sole World Heavyweight Champion.
So just how far will Haye go? It’s more than possible for him to add the WBO, IBO, and IBF belts to his ever-growing collection. A victory over Wladimir would surely set up a huge showdown with Vitali, who’d be intent on revenge.
That is as far as I think Haye will go, the WBC belt will remain elusive from his grasp, unless Old Father Time overtakes Vitali Klitschko anytime soon. A slower Vitali may have trouble keeping Haye off, but as it stands at the moment, that’s not going to happen.
Perhaps the biggest point to make is that the players themselves are not the most import aspect of the equation, the state of the sport is much more important. Boxing’s premier division MUST have an undisputed champion, and this could be closer than ever before if Haye defeats Wladimir. Win or lose against Vitali, boxing will have a sole heavyweight champion, something not seen since Mike Tyson held the WBC/WBA/IBF titles in the period before the WBO and other governing bodies sullied the game with their odious and self-serving presence. (Not that the other three are worthy of much praise either)
Hold on to your hats, ladies and gentlemen, one thing’s for sure, we’re in for a pretty exciting and spectacular ride. If nothing else, let’s all thank David Haye for that.
