Today's Haye-Klitschko presser

[LeedsLad]

Wlad spoke well, again. Haye's opening spiel was good but he let himself down a little by constantly interjecting when Wlad was speaking. Perhaps a bid to rattle Wlad but it made Haye seem slightly gnarly. David should have let Wlad have his say, if he reacts to everything Wlad puts into play on the night then he'll be in trouble as he needs to fight his own fight.

Wlad insinuated that Hayemaker mag should be called Gayemaker instead, possibly saying it needs to be a bit jollier, as this isd what 'gay' means. Wlad spelled out B-U-M and then introduced Haye as the fiftieth KO victim. Haye said the word "bum". Sky panicked, flicked to the studio so we could be eased by the lovely sight of the female presenter, who is hot.

They then showed a video clip of Sepp Blatter -- I found this highly disturbing and offensive. I'd rather be swore at by Wlad than lied to by a poisonous toad.

Haye?

[FIGHTFANs]

Adam Smith top table are sky taking over promoting now

[Glyn Leach]

I don't think anyone who grew up in the former Soviet Bloc needs to go plastic ghetto in order to try and convey a hardman image anyway. Those lads grew up hard enough, don't worry about that. I think it's a credit to them that they don't feel the need to go around giving it the biggie Brooklyn stylee. I prefer their way of doing things to Londoners or Brits in general trying to come over all 'from da hood'.

[doctorboxing]

I prefer their way of doing things to Londoners or Brits in general trying to come over all 'from da hood'.

Even better is the Eubank style, where you have actually grown up in some pretty rough places but you then forget all that and take on the persona of an old english country gent!

Maybe that's Haye's next move?

[apophenic]

I don't think anyone who grew up in the former Soviet Bloc needs to go plastic ghetto in order to try and convey a hardman image anyway. Those lads grew up hard enough, don't worry about that. I think it's a credit to them that they don't feel the need to go around giving it the biggie Brooklyn stylee. I prefer their way of doing things to Londoners or Brits in general trying to come over all 'from da hood'.

well i don't think haye is remotely like that if that's what you're getting at....tbh i can't remember many brit hw's of that type at all...herbie hide to a degree i spose...

but then herbie was brought up on the streets of sprawling dispossessed shanty town of norwich so his ghetto-esque attitude was clearly 100% authentic.

[apophenic]

I prefer their way of doing things to Londoners or Brits in general trying to come over all 'from da hood'.

Even better is the Eubank style, where you have actually grown up in some pretty rough places but you then forget all that and take on the persona of an old english country gent!

Maybe that's Haye's next move?

eubank was a genius.



i don't think haye needs to change a thing....he's like a breath of fresh air in the hw division...

[Glyn Leach]

No, wasn't suggesting Haye in particular, just people pretending to be what they're not in general — Haye might pretend to be smarter than he really is, but I don't think he pretends he's from 'da ghetto'. Though, as has been observed, pretending to be something you're not can work too, like with Mr Eubank.

[Glyn Leach]

I don't get it King G

[IRLangmaid25]

Haye said Wlad was a control freak and Wlad said Haye will become bum number 50 when he gets knocked out.

That is literally it.

Oh, and Haye called Wlad Mr. Intelligence.

Should be Dr Intelligence to give Wladimir his correct title.

[whiskey]

Haye seems very edgy and in stark contrast to his public appearances against Audley.

He seems very serious, edgy and nervous.

I hope that translates into a stonking performance.

[Glyn Leach]

Just seen a bit of it on SSN. Dave seems angry but focused while Wlad is clearly trying to make him look ignorant and silly. But both seem to have their emotions under control. Haye had said his aim was to make Wlad too angry to fight effectively, but that doesn't seem to be happening. The only anger on show was Haye's. But if he can harness it that could work in his favour.

[Srebmun]

Even better is the Eubank style, where you have actually grown up in some pretty rough places but you then forget all that and take on the persona of an old english country gent!

[ERIC GUY]

I will put up the full press conf later on, but here are some pics!!

[ERIC GUY]

Even the famous Spud was about!!!

[Glyn Leach]

Top man Eric, look forward to it.

[Deserter]

Even the famous Spud was about!!!

Great spot Eric. Now Osama's been nailed Spud was in the running for the world's most elusive man until you caught him in his natural habitat

[Carbo]

Man, I kind of miss Spud. Last time he was here I had a right pop at him for something or other when I was in one of my prickly moods. Was probably a bit out of order. But I kind of miss the explosions and the real big arguments. They added colour to the place.

[Asterix]

Both Haye and Klitschko appeared supremely confident. I love it.

[Carbo]

OK, chaps, beyond the presser, and our amateur psychology, what do folks here think key tactics will be (an area in which I suspect we are considerably more knowledgeable)?

I think we all know what Wlad's tactics are going to be, as he does't really change fight to fight. But what does Haye have to do to win? Or how can he win?

[jamesmcdonnell]

Haye seems very edgy and in stark contrast to his public appearances against Audley.

He seems very serious, edgy and nervous.

I hope that translates into a stonking performance.

Its right that's he's on edge, he's going in against the best fighter he's ever faced, and one of the most dominant champs since Lennox was in his pomp.

If he was too calm, I think it would be a bad sign.

Press conferences are always hard to read. I remember Rahman looking confident in the presser for the rematch for Lewis, then he freaked out just before the fight and shat his load.

[Asterix]

I think we all know what Wlad's tactics are going to be, as he does't really change fight to fight. But what does Haye have to do to win? Or how can he win?

Wlad - Keep the fight at a distance. Use his jab. Cautiously await an opening to land a big right hand, towards the end of the fight, most likely.

Haye - Don't let Wlad get into a rhythm! Avoid the jab on the way in and try to catch Wlad when he tries to clinch, using angles and movement as much as possible. If Haye can't catch him on the way in, rabbit punch him (rough him up) to make him not want to clinch.

[Carbo]

Haye seems very edgy and in stark contrast to his public appearances against Audley.

He seems very serious, edgy and nervous.

I hope that translates into a stonking performance.

Its right that's he's on edge, he's going in against the best fighter he's ever faced, and one of the most dominant champs since Lennox was in his pomp.

If he was too calm, I think it would be a bad sign.

Press conferences are always hard to read. I remember Rahman looking confident in the presser for the rematch for Lewis, then he freaked out just before the fight and shat his load.

I think that the best example of that was Naz against Barrera. The way he lost it, with the glove, with not doing his somersault, coming to the ring 30 minutes late -- he had clearly dropped his load.

I think you're right, though. Haye being edgier and more serious can be a interpreted either way, I think. How did he look in terms of shape? I know it's difficult to tell, but Wlad looks lean in the face. You can tell he's going to be tight and rock hard. (Over-trained, even?) Haye, on the other hand: it's more difficult to tell.

Thoughts?

As for the fight, I think Haye, rather than getting inside, where he never does his best work, needs to walk Wlad onto his shots. I think he needs to slip jabs moving backward, as much as getting under them, and make Wlad lean in and give up his height, and then try to nail him down the middle walking onto a shot. I also think that working the body could be a positive, as he did with Moremeck, another fighter with suspect stamina. Going to the body can leave him open to right hand counters to the temple, but the way Wlad leans back, there must be space there for body shots, which can have a cumulative effect.

I actually think that the reason Haye wanted this fight is, of course, because it maximizes is money earning potential and he knows he's vulnerable to any heavyweight, so it might as well be for all the baubles, but also because he feels that he does very well against tall, Eastern-European style fighters. Haye struggles more against shorter, squat guys who put him under pressure.

I still see him as at least a 4-1 dog in this, though. Don't know what the bookies have, but I wouldn't touch Haye at anything shorter than that, and preferably longer than fives. That just about sums up where I see his chances -- 20% tops.

[SteveDow]

I feel that Haye needs to put it on Wlad early in the fight in order to win. He has to make Wlad feel his speed and power early before Wlad gets chance to dominate the centre of the ring which he will look to do as soon as possible.

If Wlad establishes the centre of the ring and the jab then Haye's only chance is a lucky punch in my opinion. Haye simply cannot fight like he fought against Valuev or even like he fought in the first couple of rounds against Harrison. I'm not saying he should come out recklessly but he needs to throw calculated bombs from the start, using his speed to get in and out. I don't think he can outbox Wlad and Wlad will get any close decision on the cards given the fight is in Germany so Haye has to go for broke and if that means he gets caught and knocked out then so be it.

My fear is that Haye will start very cautiously and simply not throw enough shots. This will then allow Wlad to dictate the tempo of the fight which would be disasterous for Haye.

[Asterix]

I think you're right, though. Haye being edgier and more serious can be a interpreted either way, I think. How did he look in terms of shape? I know it's difficult to tell, but Wlad looks lean in the face. You can tell he's going to be tight and rock hard. (Over-trained, even?) Haye, on the other hand: it's more difficult to tell.

Thoughts?

charlieb said earlier that Wlad looks gaunt. After seeing the London press conference, I agree. He looks very tired despite the make-up. Could just be from a busy schedule, and not important, but Haye looks very healthy. Haye looks chubby in the face when he's not in shape, so I think he's already in very good shape right now.

As for the fight, I think Haye, rather than getting inside, where he never does his best work, needs to walk Wlad onto his shots. I think he needs to slip jabs moving backward, as much as getting under them, and make Wlad lean in and give up his height, and then try to nail him down the middle walking onto a shot. I also think that working the body could be a positive, as he did with Moremeck, another fighter with suspect stamina. Going to the body can leave him open to right hand counters to the temple, but the way Wlad leans back, there must be space there for body shots, which can have a cumulative effect.

I actually think that the reason Haye wanted this fight is, of course, because it maximizes is money earning potential and he knows he's vulnerable to any heavyweight, so it might as well be for all the baubles, but also because he feels that he does very well against tall, Eastern-European style fighters. Haye struggles more against shorter, squat guys who put him under pressure.

I still see him as at least a 4-1 dog in this, though. Don't know what the bookies have, but I wouldn't touch Haye at anything shorter than that, and preferably longer than fives. That just about sums up where I see his chances -- 20% tops.

Very good to read a different opinion. I would love it if Haye could it.

[Carbo]

Two points: isn't it nice to see two heavyweights who actually get in shape for a fight? I mean, how many heavyweights these days actually come into a fight looking like real athletes?

Haye and the Klitschko brothers are three that spring to mind. But I don't think there are that many.

Well, not as many as there should be, anyway.

Second, and on a related point, Klitschko already looks very lean with a month to go. Any chance of overtraining?

Or will it just allow him to take in huge quantities of calories and burn through them as he reaches fight time lean and hard and strong and ready to rumble?