Really looking forward to the fight now.
I think Haye has the upper hand from all the media work. On Monday you could tell Klitschko was getting annoyed with Haye. That said, I don't think that'll count for much come fight night (in fact I'm sure it won't), Manny Steward is too clever to let his fighter get drawn in and move away from the game plan.
RhinoNeil wrote:
The experience Haye got from the Valuev fight will be priceless. Not only fighting a monster that is difficult to get on the inside of, but also the venue and the hostile atmosphere. That fight has been replayed on SkySports all week and looking back Hayes concentration for the full fight was superb, constantly focused and poised. That will stand him in massive stead for Wladamir.
So what experience of a similar fighter to Haye has Wlad got? Nothing. Haye has been saying throughout the build up that Wlad has no plan B. He is consistently one dimensional, and that is 1000% correct. If Haye manages to get behind the jab and land some heavy shots Wlad won't have a clue what to do.
I agree the experience off fighting in a hostile environment for the Valuev fight will have benefited Haye but the actual fight won't have done in my opninion. There's no way he can box in a similar style because the judges won't strip Wlad of his belts unless Haye is the aggressor in this one (in my opinion). If Klitschko is allowed to take the centre of the ring and throw the jab (even if it is missing a lot of the time) I think the judges will go with him. I agree though his concentration in that fight was spot on for the full 12 rounds, and it'll need to be again (if it goes that far).
Granted Wlad has no experience of a fighter like Haye but the opposite is also true. Wlad is easily the best boxer Haye has ever fought (especially in the heavyweight division). It's not pretty to watch but it's effective for Wlad and it's not going to be a case of ducking under the jab and chinning him in the first for Haye!
That said, I really rate Booth and I think Haye will do it! I'll say by knock out but I'm not going to predict a round, depends how early (and how hard) he lands!
