HAYE- heavyweight

[DavidPayne]

We're looking for a top 15 heavyweight, or someone who could masquerade for the unwashed as a top 15 heavyweight.

With limited power, poor movement and questionnable stamina.

Should be loads to choose from.

1 - Sinan Samil Sam - Ranked by WBC
2 - Paulo Vidoz - Ranked by WBC
3 - Tomasz Bonin - Ranked by WBC

Vidoz would be my pick, short, squat with moderate power and average stamina, short reach and not particularly mobile. Sprott almost beat him, arguably did, Haye you would venture would have the handspeed to punish him more than Sprott could.

I also assume a WBC fighter would be preferable, as Haye is chasing their Cruiserweight title.

[chief]

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.

I take your point, particularly about the lapses in concentration which, as we know, can be the undoing of many boxers, especially at heavyweight.. My point is made in relation to our domestic HWs who I’m afraid I really don’t rate coupled with that extra adrenaline “buzz” that I hope fighting at HW will give David.. He’s a guy who loves the limelight, the glitz and the glamour and the HW division is traditionally the most prestigious.. If he can’t get himself at the top of his game for that then he should hang ‘em up.. As you say, its all speculation at this stage but the tools are there if used properly.. It may be that I’m guilty of over-optimism but it reflects my desire to see a shake up in our domestic HW scene.

[states]

Haye has been getting backed up by non-punching Cruiserweights recently. That doesn't bode well for a fight against, say, Skelton. I'd like to be more optimistic, but I think Haye's heavyweight adventure is destined to end badly.

[DavidPayne]

We're looking for a top 15 heavyweight, or someone who could masquerade for the unwashed as a top 15 heavyweight.

With limited power, poor movement and questionnable stamina.

Should be loads to choose from.

1 - Sinan Samil Sam - Ranked by WBC
2 - Paulo Vidoz - Ranked by WBC
3 - Tomasz Bonin - Ranked by WBC

Vidoz would be my pick, short, squat with moderate power and average stamina, short reach and not particularly mobile. Sprott almost beat him, arguably did, Haye you would venture would have the handspeed to punish him more than Sprott could.

I also assume a WBC fighter would be preferable, as Haye is chasing their Cruiserweight title.

Damn I was close, he's opted for Bonin