12 years ago and still classic viewing

[Jimmy2025]

Vitali Klitschko saw what Haye did to his last opponent and quietly retired rather than make the fight.

I think Vitali would have mauled Haye in 8-10. But alas we'll never know.

Rewatch his final fight vs Charr. Old, slow and wide open, chin up, left down by his knee. KO waiting to happen. Fighting strictly B level opponents preserved his unearned mystique.

Harsh but arguably fair. We'll never know how good Vitali was because the only time he really tested himself was against Lennox at short notice. Lots of decent fighters on his record but only one really good one.

[THEBUTCH]

Just for the record Lennox Lewis also took the fight with Vitali at short notice.

They'd both been preparing for different opponents. Kirk Johnson pulled out of his challenge to Lewis and I believe Vitali's opponent also withdrew, then the rarest of things happened....a deal was struck for Lennox to defend against Vitali. The rest, as they say, is history !

[handsofstone]

Haye was brutal when in fight mode, didn't give a single one, he hit seriously hard too, shame about the Klitschko fight, I thought he'd blitz Wlad and well the less said about the Bellew fights the better, fooled me both times there as well

[Jimmy2025]

Haye was brutal when in fight mode, didn't give a single one, he hit seriously hard too, shame about the Klitschko fight, I thought he'd blitz Wlad and well the less said about the Bellew fights the better, fooled me both times there as well

By late 2008 I think he was carrying chronic injuries. To did what he did at heavyweight given how physically broken he was is quite incredible. Proper hard bloke was Haye, many forget that.

[Delta Jay]

When I saw the thread title - I thought it must have been Tyson's Fury's interview on Channel 5 - but that is now probably more than 12 years ago.

Never grows old

I still call people in the gym this once a week

[Delta Jay]

Haye was brutal when in fight mode, didn't give a single one, he hit seriously hard too, shame about the Klitschko fight, I thought he'd blitz Wlad and well the less said about the Bellew fights the better, fooled me both times there as well

Someone on here correctly predicted “Haye by freak injury” and that always stuck with me as a great call.

I asked the girl I was seeing at the time if she wanted a flutter and she went Bellew by KO twice.

[Controversial]

Haye was brutal when in fight mode, didn't give a single one, he hit seriously hard too, shame about the Klitschko fight, I thought he'd blitz Wlad and well the less said about the Bellew fights the better, fooled me both times there as well

Someone on here correctly predicted “Haye by freak injury” and that always stuck with me as a great call.

I asked the girl I was seeing at the time if she wanted a flutter and she went Bellew by KO twice.

You mean "Bellew by freak injury"? A mate of mine said Bellew would stop Haye in the first fight, I remember laughing at him as I thought Haye was going to poleaxe Bellew. I had to eat humble pie for a while lol.

[THEBUTCH]

A good many of us fluffed the prediction

[Coco]

Haye was brutal when in fight mode, didn't give a single one, he hit seriously hard too, shame about the Klitschko fight, I thought he'd blitz Wlad and well the less said about the Bellew fights the better, fooled me both times there as well

Someone on here correctly predicted “Haye by freak injury” and that always stuck with me as a great call.

I asked the girl I was seeing at the time if she wanted a flutter and she went Bellew by KO twice.

You mean "Bellew by freak injury"? A mate of mine said Bellew would stop Haye in the first fight, I remember laughing at him as I thought Haye was going to poleaxe Bellew. I had to eat humble pie for a while lol.

I know Bellew isn't the body beautiful type but when he weighed in I was convinced he had just turned up for the payday

[jameswilson]

Finally managed to find the video I was talking about.

[Jimmy2025]

Finally managed to find the video I was talking about.

Not seen those angles before. Cheers.

[The Gratest]

Sweet chin music.

[steve689]

Vitali laughing at it all, haha, what a guy. Chisora is one of the nastiest pricks in boxing so no tears for him here.

[Cyclops]

I was at Upton Park that night. Crowd was very pro Haye, so much so that it still sticks with me that me and me mate were the only ones near us cheering for Chisora. How times have changed though as Chisora has gone on to be a fan favourite

I was there too and remember the atmosphere being great: everyone enjoying themselves, being excited and getting along. I remember one of mates who is a casual, but a big loud boisterous bloke, deciding that he would support Chisora for the night and it all being very good natured.

Good times.