Thompson on Haye good stuff

josh fg · Post by **josh fg** » 19 Dec 2005, 20:47

Saw this on secondsout great artical.

Thompson: "Ready when you are, Mr Haye"

Best in Europe...

By Ant Evans: Carl Thompson has congratulated his old rival, the newly crowned European Cruiserweight Champion David Haye on his stunning 55 second win over the highly-respected Alexander Gurov Friday night. However, Bolton bomber Thompson warned the 25-year-old punching supernova that a rematch between the two would result in another KO defeat for Haye.

After separating WBC No.2 ranking Gurov from his title and senses in London Friday, Haye said the fight he most wanted next was a rematch of his September 2004 war with the old lion of British boxing, which Thompson won in five awesome rounds. Since then, Haye has scored five more knockouts, taking his record to 15-1 (15 Kos), but Thompson remains unimpressed.

The CAT told SecondsOut: "People are actually asking me how I can take Haye's punches. Are their memories so short? I took his shorts for five rounds last year and I didn't go down once. Haye hasn't proved anything to me this year that he didn't show me in our fight. I know he looks very good when he is hitting people but how good did he look when I was hitting him back? In all his fights he's only been hit back by me, and look what happened."

The reigning IBO world champion added: "David can punch, but so can I. Nothing has changed since our last fight. If Dennis (Hobson, one half of promoters Fight Academy) puts the money in front of me David can have some more in his next fight. I am only interested in big money fights so if the money is there, we can do it next if he wants it."

Thompson watched Haye's European Title win on television Friday night. He commentated: "Well done to David. He couldn't have done it any better, could he? He beat a good fighter impressively, he did the job very well. Well done to him.

"But it annoys me that people will get carried away with it. I've held the European Title twice and never lost it in the ring. David did the job, but it was the job that Terry Dunstan did on Gurov eight years ago. And I then knocked out Terry Dunstan, so while I give David credit I am not getting carried away with what he did because it was done eight years ago."

For those who don't recall, Dunstan was a talented box-puncher from London who won British & European Championships before retiring in December 1999 after getting KO'd by Thompson. He beat Gurov in 20seconds in February 1998 to win the EBU title.

Thompson continued: "Maybe David was watching tapes of that fight for some ideas."

The CAT has fought but once since schooling the sledgehammer fisted Haye, taking an unimpressive and somewhat controversial 10 round decision over French journeyman Frederic Serrat last month,

"I was very unhappy with my performance," Thompson admitted. "I felt very ring rusty. I actually thought I'd lost it but I spoke to Serrat afterwards and he thought he'd lost it. It was one of those fights. People will, of course, right me off yet again because of it but it will be different when I am fighting someone like David Haye. I can't believe people are making him the favourite again."

Max Molyneux · Post by **Max Molyneux** » 19 Dec 2005, 21:01

Haye by KO after watching Thompson's last fight with a fat Super Middleweight.

josh fg · Post by **josh fg** » 19 Dec 2005, 21:10

interesting that Thompson thought he lost that fight. He makes some good points though and if the fight is quick thompson will be less horribly rusty. I think Haye has got better since but thompson has stayed still or got worse.

Would like to see haye take on someone who will last the rounds though weather its someone who runs or someone who has a chin on him. Do you think that Thompson's comments about haye looking good when hitting but not when being hit are fair.

Neri · Post by **Neri** » 20 Dec 2005, 00:10

Max Molyneux wrote:Haye by KO after watching Thompson's last fight with a fat Super Middleweight.

Many people have learnt never to write Thompson off. I certainly won't be

Lenny · Post by **Lenny** » 20 Dec 2005, 05:04

I liked Haye's comments about never writing Thompson off and I do believe he has learnt a lot from the first fight. I think he is smart enough to know that he is far better when he takes his time and picks his shots then he is when he tenses up and puts everything into every shot. I think he can hit harder than he did against Thompson but rushing in like he did swinging wild punches didn't help him.

If he picks his openings like he did versus Williams, Kelly Rossitto and like he looked like he was going to do against Gurov then I think he beats the current Thompson with ease and has him out of there in 5. If he sees Thompson hurt and rushes in again trying to throw 100 power punches a round (like he still claims he can do) then the rematch will be no different.

Foggy · Post by **Foggy** » 20 Dec 2005, 05:53

I would certainly welcome a rematch between these two, i'd pick Haye to do the business simply just becuase i feel if he can gain revenge on Carl that would mean alot to Haye and then maybe we would see Haye move on and take the division by storm.

Anyone who hasnt seen Haye - Thompson 1 its on Eurosport this week - i'm sure its tonight.

hitman_hatton1 · Post by **hitman_hatton1** » 20 Dec 2005, 06:59

i was surprised how many thought haye would bowl thompson over last time. always had a feeling that was a real 50/50 sort of fight.

i make haye a small favourite this time round. i expect him to box more conservatively and put points in the bag next time.

wouldn't rule out thompson pulling out another performance though, sly old dog that he is.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 20 Dec 2005, 07:16

Haye can improve on his performance, Carl cannot. For that reason I pick Haye this time.

knockout · Post by **knockout** » 20 Dec 2005, 07:41

jamesmcdonnell wrote:Haye can improve on his performance, Carl cannot. For that reason I pick Haye this time.

Haye will box clever and try pick him off I would imagine without overly straining himself...

However Carl CAN KO Haye at any moment in any one of the 12 scheduled rounds...

I see it as a tricky decision for Haye, does he try and get Carl out of there early again or box and risk it going late with his untested stamina against a guy who can throw heavy shots for the whole 36 minutes...

I didnt see Carls last fight, but i am sure he was unmotivated and the opponent was tough as old boots....

Max Molyneux · Post by **Max Molyneux** » 20 Dec 2005, 07:43

Neri1983 wrote:
Max Molyneux wrote:Haye by KO after watching Thompson's last fight with a fat Super Middleweight.
Many people have learnt never to write Thompson off. I certainly won't be

41 and got beat up by a fat suppermiddleweight though. :P

Oh yeah there showing the first Haye Vs Thompson on Eurosport tonight at 9:45pm.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 20 Dec 2005, 07:51

knockout wrote:
jamesmcdonnell wrote:Haye can improve on his performance, Carl cannot. For that reason I pick Haye this time.
Haye will box clever and try pick him off I would imagine without overly straining himself...

However Carl CAN KO Haye at any moment in any one of the 12 scheduled rounds...

I see it as a tricky decision for Haye, does he try and get Carl out of there early again or box and risk it going late with his untested stamina against a guy who can throw heavy shots for the whole 36 minutes...

I didnt see Carls last fight, but i am sure he was unmotivated and the opponent was tough as old boots....

]

He looked like dogshit in his last fight. Totally off balance, even his power seems to be gone now, the guy just kept him off balance all night with short shots.

Carl badly needs a tune up before facing Haye, he will always have a punchers chance, but his punchpower looks diminished now, he landed a few flush uppercuts in his last fight with no effect.

knockout · Post by **knockout** » 20 Dec 2005, 07:59

jamesmcdonnell wrote:
knockout wrote:
jamesmcdonnell wrote:Haye can improve on his performance, Carl cannot. For that reason I pick Haye this time.
Haye will box clever and try pick him off I would imagine without overly straining himself...

However Carl CAN KO Haye at any moment in any one of the 12 scheduled rounds...

I see it as a tricky decision for Haye, does he try and get Carl out of there early again or box and risk it going late with his untested stamina against a guy who can throw heavy shots for the whole 36 minutes...

I didnt see Carls last fight, but i am sure he was unmotivated and the opponent was tough as old boots....
]

He looked like dogshit in his last fight. Totally off balance, even his power seems to be gone now, the guy just kept him off balance all night with short shots.

Carl badly needs a tune up before facing Haye, he will always have a punchers chance, but his punchpower looks diminished now, he landed a few flush uppercuts in his last fight with no effect.

To be fair a quick look at that french dudes record suggest he hasnt been stopped before.... (he had a TKO early in his career...not sure if that was a cut or not..) so he is obviously a fat toughie......

If Thompson survives the early rounds and David starts getting a little ragged and stationary....

black panther · Post by **black panther** » 20 Dec 2005, 12:55

Altho I didnt see thompson last fight I have seen serrat fight many times on eurosport. Dont let his apparent lack of conditioning(tits and fat belly!) fool you, he always comes in looking like that but always sets a fast pace and seems to be able to maintain it. I've never seen him out of breath

Loynesy · Post by **Loynesy** » 20 Dec 2005, 14:06

knockout wrote:
jamesmcdonnell wrote:
knockout wrote: Haye will box clever and try pick him off I would imagine without overly straining himself...

However Carl CAN KO Haye at any moment in any one of the 12 scheduled rounds...

I see it as a tricky decision for Haye, does he try and get Carl out of there early again or box and risk it going late with his untested stamina against a guy who can throw heavy shots for the whole 36 minutes...

I didnt see Carls last fight, but i am sure he was unmotivated and the opponent was tough as old boots....
]

He looked like dogshit in his last fight. Totally off balance, even his power seems to be gone now, the guy just kept him off balance all night with short shots.

Carl badly needs a tune up before facing Haye, he will always have a punchers chance, but his punchpower looks diminished now, he landed a few flush uppercuts in his last fight with no effect.
To be fair a quick look at that french dudes record suggest he hasnt been stopped before.... (he had a TKO early in his career...not sure if that was a cut or not..) so he is obviously a fat toughie......

If Thompson survives the early rounds and David starts getting a little ragged and stationary....

Knockout - having seen CT in his last fight and a couple of Haye's recent fights (and I mean being there, not on telly), they are now poles apart. Like everyone who genuinely likes boxing, I respect CT so much, but in his last fight he didn't look rusty, he looked shot. It wasn't a case a the range not being there, it was more the whole action of the punch lacked crispness and fluidity.

Can't see it going beyond a couple, I'm afraid. HOpe it would be a pension payday for CT and not a beating up

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 20 Dec 2005, 15:39

That's what I saw too, his timing was completely gone, and his balance, which has never been great was gone too.

knockout · Post by **knockout** » 20 Dec 2005, 20:06

Loynesy/James Mc....
It seems from what you guys have said, that the CAT is completely gone...
I really hope Haye finds a good punch to end it quickly and doesnt give Thompson a horrible beating...
He really is the British Holyfield...

Razor · Post by **Razor** » 20 Dec 2005, 20:24

True, i hope its over quickly and not a complete molestation.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 21 Dec 2005, 05:37

It may sound Patronising, but I don't think I want to see this fight made. Thompson is such a brave bastard, that even if he takes a shelling, he will hang in there.

Of course, there's an outside chance of another upset win for Carl, but the thought of him taking a pounding makes me feel very uncomfortable. It's Carl's life for sure, but he's had so many hard fights in his career, and his ability to get out of the way of shots has never been great.

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 21 Dec 2005, 08:38

thompson always looks like he's suffering, kind of pitiful. wouldn't be nice to see him spark out, on his back.

he did look shot vs Serrat, but I think he'd look a little bit better without that extra ten pounds weighing him down.

all Haye has to do is be focused, jab hard, take his time, and drop in the occasional right, on the counter.

Should take a leaf out of Crawford Ashley's book. Ashley stopped him with a long left jab. Stuck it right in his eye

imo Thompson will take the fight, if they offer the rumourd fat purse of the Haye fight last year

nickd · Post by **nickd** » 21 Dec 2005, 08:46

viciousmaussa wrote:thompson always looks like he's suffering, kind of pitiful. wouldn't be nice to see him spark out, on his back.

he did look shot vs Serrat, but I think he'd look a little bit better without that extra ten pounds weighing him down.

all Haye has to do is be focused, jab hard, take his time, and drop in the occasional right, on the counter.

Should take a leaf out of Crawford Ashley's book. Ashley stopped him with a long left jab. Stuck it right in his eye

imo Thompson will take the fight, if they offer the rumourd fat purse of the Haye fight last year

What extra 10lbs? Thompsons last fight was at Cruiser.

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 21 Dec 2005, 11:54

wasn't he ten lbs over? i'm sure he was. it was a non title fight, i figured he didn't bother to get the weight down

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 21 Dec 2005, 12:12

Perhaps you are getting confused, the extra 10 lbs the commentary team referred to was the raising of the limit from 190 to 200 lbs...they were saying they thought that the extra 10 lbs did him no favours as it probably allowed him to cut corners in training.

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 21 Dec 2005, 13:25

ah, i can't have been listening to the commentary properly. i assumed he came in at 210, 10-lbs over the new limit. he did look wide, though, wider than the Rothmann fight which was at the revised limit. maybe it was the haircut made him look bigger

Raff The Frenchman · Post by **Raff The Frenchman** » 21 Dec 2005, 13:31

what u seem to forget is that Serrat is underrated and is no journeyman, Serrat is just the most unlucky cruiser, and got robbed about 3 or 4 times, in fact he has only 1 real loss...got robbed against Rudiger May, robbed in his own country against Roberge...

knockout · Post by **knockout** » 21 Dec 2005, 13:38

Raff The Frenchman wrote:what u seem to forget is that Serrat is underrated and is no journeyman, Serrat is just the most unlucky cruiser, and got robbed about 3 or 4 times, in fact he has only 1 real loss...got robbed against Rudiger May, robbed in his own country against Roberge...

What happened with May???
was there a cut????