HAYE- heavyweight

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 21 Feb 2007, 07:58

Anyone think Haye will find a decent opening up at heavyweight? Gammer has already been suggested. IMO Sprott, a relatively small heavy, knocking off a big man in Audley will have given Haye a boost. What with Haye's handspeed, coordination, talent (against suspect stamina/questionable punch resistence).

People seem interested in the domestic scene and at worst, Haye could find an exciting place in the Brit lineup.

Haye has some nice skills having trained with the Cubans in Miami. I think being at cruiser is depleting his stamina - given that he obviously uses weights and enjoys himself out the ring. Heavies may hit harder but they throw far less punches. Haye might find that there are bigger openings/defensive lapses above 200-pounds - to take advantage of.

Things could get very interesting, just as the Mac Attack is deflating!

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 21 Feb 2007, 08:03

Haye could probably beat some of our domestic heavyweight, but I wonder whether he could beat the likes of Sprott.

The biggest questions are over his chin at the weight, and also what impact, or lack of it, his punch power will have against bigger framed opponents.

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 21 Feb 2007, 08:10

I'd be interested in finding out. But Warren would have to have a monopoly on things. Still, Williams & Gammer are free, it seems.

chief · Post by **chief** » 21 Feb 2007, 08:19

I'd expect Haye to clean up domestically and really hope he does.. It's what the scene needs.

dr_devious · Post by **dr_devious** » 21 Feb 2007, 12:54

Matt Skelton would bust David Haye. I also think Sprott would beat Haye as well

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 21 Feb 2007, 12:58

sprott was the man who sprung to mind. Considered a small heavyweight, but he's 235 when in good shape, and has an underrated whack on him too. Also has fast hands, and when focussed good defensive skills.

glittermonkey · Post by **glittermonkey** » 21 Feb 2007, 13:05

dr_devious wrote:Matt Skelton would bust David Haye. I also think Sprott would beat Haye as well

Good call on Skelton. He's just all wrong for someone whose chin and stamina are still questionable.

I feel that Haye would beat Sprott if he carries his power up with him. That's the biggest if of them all when talking about Haye at heavy. If he can't make a dent in the bigger men, then he's going nowhere at the higher weight.

overhand_right · Post by **overhand_right** » 21 Feb 2007, 13:23

Thinking Skelton automatically over Haye reminds me of Jones and Ruiz. Talent took over. What if Haye plants a few on Skelton in the opening round intimidating him and stopping him from committing?

Johnson and Holyfield probably hit Ruiz harder but with RJJ the shots were super fast and coming from all different angles.

Just a thought anyway.

nickd · Post by **nickd** » 21 Feb 2007, 13:24

Haye is hardly comparable with a prime RJJ.

oliverfennell · Post by **oliverfennell** » 21 Feb 2007, 13:28

How about Haye vs Kertson Manswell? He has been mooted as an opponent for Williams and Harrison recently, so he could be a go for Haye. OK, he's an unproven quantity, but I believe it could be made.

overhand_right · Post by **overhand_right** » 21 Feb 2007, 13:38

nickd wrote:Haye is hardly comparable with a prime RJJ.

I think you missed my point as completely as possible.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 21 Feb 2007, 13:40

Haye vs Krence or is that too low a level?

nickd · Post by **nickd** » 21 Feb 2007, 13:48

overhand_right wrote:
nickd wrote:Haye is hardly comparable with a prime RJJ.
I think you missed my point as completely as possible.

Hardly, no need for that sort of attitude.

RJJ was fast on his feet in and out throwing combinations. Haye is hardly of the same ilk he's not exactly quick around the ring.

That better for you?

overhand_right · Post by **overhand_right** » 21 Feb 2007, 13:50

Cant help the pompous attitude, i've studied too many Audley Harrison interviews.

I just meant Haye has more talent for picking punches, speed, overall talent versus big plodding lug Skelton, it could theoretically end up like the smaller weaker RJJ outgaming the big strong but limited and slow Ruiz.

It could also end up with Skelton swarming him and massacring him.

Whatever i dont really care.

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 21 Feb 2007, 15:03

stujones wrote:Haye vs Krence or is that too low a level?

Would be a decent, safe-ish start, and a nice learning experience IMO.

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 21 Feb 2007, 15:13

The difference in talent & speed between Haye and Skelton is frightening. That could be a key. Skelton may be to raw for a fine tuned boxer like Haye. Or conversely he might be too big & rough. For me, Haye is world class, whereas Skelton is domestic, MAYBE Euro pedigree.

I don't think we'll ever find out due to Warren. He'd have a lot to lose if his top heavy lost to a smaller man, not to mention a future world heavyweight title fight that keeps getting mentioned. Wouldn't put on a fight unless Haye signed himself away. A damn shame because Warren won't risk losing anything unless he has something equal to gain. Smart business, he gets away with it, but it ruins boxing and helps shite like UFC.

(UFC, a sport that started with world class BJJ vs middle aged Karate blokes and featured anonymous boxers getting their arms twisted! A sport with 180-pound (or whatever) welterweights!)

Interestingly, the fighters coming off bad losses, Williams and Audley, could well be candidates for Haye.

JC · Post by JC » 21 Feb 2007, 15:15

Who is Warren planning to get the winner of Sprott Skelton a shot at?

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 21 Feb 2007, 15:41

I reckon Briggs. He has to be the worst of the champions.

Chesney_Chambers · Post by **Chesney_Chambers** » 21 Feb 2007, 16:11

If Hayes got a decent chin at the weight, I can see him doing very well. He took some BIG shots off Carl thompson without getting heavily put down (was he knoked down at all), but his chin didn't quite look so solid against Mock

(temple punch??)

I reckon alot depends on how his chin holds up and the juries still out for me, but I reckon if he can get on a run he could challenge for World titles. I think I'd back him against any of the current British HW's

dr_devious · Post by **dr_devious** » 21 Feb 2007, 17:35

For me Haye hasnt got the chin to hang in there against decent heavyweights. He is a world class cruiser, but moving up he'd get found out especially by Skelton who has got a serious chin and decent punch. Sprotty is a very seasoned heavyweight too, both of these would relish fighting Haye or Maca

lvlarc · Post by **lvlarc** » 21 Feb 2007, 18:06

If it's true that Haye struggled to make Cruiser, the extra effort may have been starching his stamina. A fresh, fully hydrated Haye could do well at HW, he has the tools.
Gammer/Williams winner with the British title up for grabs would be a great debut at HW for Haye.

Grilling Machine · Post by **Grilling Machine** » 21 Feb 2007, 18:17

Whether or not Haye could handle HW, few of us here wouldn't love to watch him try.

chief · Post by **chief** » 21 Feb 2007, 19:23

I'd be surprised if Haye allows himself to be a static target against our slower, less skilled domestic HWs.. He won't be easy to hit.. He can use superior speed and boxing know how, alongside a decent whack to get the results here.. There will be inevitable question marks about chin and stamina but if Haye is serious and applies himself, he has the ability to refresh a somewhat stale division..

Grilling Machine · Post by **Grilling Machine** » 21 Feb 2007, 20:37

chief wrote:He won't be easy to hit.

That's Haye's greatest flaw. Although I'm sure the fear at heavy would help tighten his defence.

Arrogance continues to be his undoing. When he keeps his hands high and concentrates, he is world-class. The problem is a lapsing workrate, low left hand, and an alarming openness when using the ropes to move sideways. A pressure fighter can ease him back, looking to cut him off laterally.

Lewis was prone to the same mistake, which cost him against Rahman. Another parallel between the two, is over-reliance on the big looping right. I also see echoes of Hamed there, in manoeuvring the head independently of the guard, in order to get the angles. Works until you're hit.

There was a fluidity in loose boxers like Ali, Graham and Hamed, which gave them greater ability to focus on movement and range, but often seemed to rob them of urgency.

I'll put myself into the 'unknown' camp for Haye at heavy. I can't honestly see what he'd do when a bigger opponent doesn't respect his timing.

funso banjo baby · Post by **funso banjo baby** » 21 Feb 2007, 23:13

certainly kenna followed by krence and then straight in with gammer ! all relatively small hws