This weekend I’m heading to a seminar at London's Excel Arena. The keynote speakers are Tony Robbins, Richard Branson and Alan Sugar. The Excel, for those in the know, is the venue David Haye originally confronted Wladimir with the word’s “The Hayemaker’s coming for you” in that famous YT video.
A fight-fan, I’ve deconstructed this bout many time’s. I predicted Haye would become Heavyweight Champ back in 2007. However, in the never realised 2009 match-up I backed Wladimir to defeat him. Now, the table’s are turned.
Klitschko bristles. For some, notably Lewis and De La Hoya, anger serves. We’ve yet to know how Wlad will respond, though he lacks the punch variety of the aforementioned. He’s also facing the most evasive, unorthodox, clinical counter-puncher of this Heavyweight generation. If he control’s the centre of the ring with that outstanding jab, Haye will dance while he exacts plans A, B or C.
Is this nationalistic fervour or restating the word’s of finer judges than I? Evander Holyfield believes much of this will fight be won on the inside. For my 2 cents, Haye will come short with the jab and right hook body. On the inside he’ll remedy Wlad’s jab-jab-grab with the famous Tyson combination; right hook body, right uppercut.
Expect Haye to whip in the Jones Jr-esque lead left-hook/uppercut used so effectively against Valuev.
Any guesses what Wlad’s key punch is? And if his jab fail’s what are his options? Therein lies his problem. The jab is fundamental to Klitschko's ring generalship. Consider this Compubox statistic; in his last 4 bout's he has outlanded his opponent's 632-188 punches. 70% of his shot's were jabs. His opponents landed a paltry 5 shot's per round.
Contrast this with Haye. Compubox figure's reveal Haye has not been hit by more than 7 jab's per round since record's began. A figure qualified by only the Carl Thompson bout.
The 1 punch KO, always a danger in HW Boxing, is more likely to be delivered by Haye than Wladimir. His Chamber’s KO, the exception, the other 57 fight’s the rule.
Haye has gone the distance twice against Valuev and Ismail Abdoul. He broke his right hand in the Valuev bout and, a little known fact, was restricted to 3 right-crosses per round v. Abdoul. A tactic devised when coach Booth feared his charge was over-reliant on the money punch.
Whether team Haye ring-walk wearing the coded blue t-shirt (ice-cool) or red (war) or the new England top, he will victor. For all of the above reason’s, I’ll back Haye to win by KO.
Wladimir’s best hope is a controversial PTS win.
Regardless, I haven’t been so excited about a Heavyweight match for almost a decade. I hope the fight is as memorable as the hype.
