BoxRec

Has your opinion gone up or down of David Haye after this last performance?

Didnt see the fight sp I cant comment on how Haye look, but I do have a little rant.

A lot of people here babled about Haye winning in 1-2 rounds despite never having seen Johansen fight. Maybe some people actually have to do some research before making statements like walk over ect.

Agree

I thought it would go 3rnds, his record did not suggest great things when the opponents were checked out...but with Hayes tremendous hitting...but Johannsen took alll that was thrown his way, smiled, called Haye in, then when the invite wasn`t accepted took that as an offer for himself to have a pop

He was big for the weight and strong looking, I thought he could have gone on...but the ref knows best...usually

Neither up nor down really, still think he's reckless with how he leaves his chin out, needs to keep working on stamina too, although it was encouraging to see his power carried to the eighth

No one thinks he was holding off to prove to himself he could do the rounds then steped it up. From the sounds of things he wasn't on the verge of being stoped at any point.

Would love to see him in with Hobson though.

Hobsons last outing was the best ive ever seen him.......but I think Haye would batter Hobson.

What did you make of the fight itself lefthook?

Probably be over the top (but not too over the top) to call last night a case of showman versus fighter. A minority here have had the book on Haye for a while now (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) so it was no great surprise to see the dullness set in around the third. Not trying to sound sarcastic here, but at the Firstbase gym do they all stand around and laud him while/after he works out? I've got this vision of him throwing one-two bombs, stopping when he feels tired, then getting praised by the gang. I hope that's not the case but whatever - Haye/they do what they do and I don't see the point going on about it; like Froch, you might as well just accept that they're always going to have that fatal streak. A streak that glared ten minutes or so into last night. If nothing else, his team really should address that a fighter with such a limited and basic offense was able to push him around like that. Fair enough he's an admitted single-shot merchant but he was fooling no one bar the clueless regarding his stamina last night. Anyway good luck to him, delusions aside, he's always come across as extremely amiable/likeable (hopefully it's the same IRL), and hopefully he'll get the right fights (like the Gurov one) and make some cha ching to bling bling.

Gary Woolcombe - Eugenio Monteiro

Been watching Gary Woolcombe for a while now and last night was a good win. He's got a fair whack for such spindly stature but I've noticed his boxing come along quite a bit too. Monteiro was a real dangerman from first to last, stamina aside, so it was a good 8 rounds to get however scrappy they turned out. The pundits said he's ready for the top boys domestically, which I wasn't so sure about at first, but looking down the list today on boxrec I think they're right. Could have some potentially hard, hard fights in line but he's got probably the best team in the UK for a young domestic fighter (who wants to learn the proper way).

Anthony Small - Kai Kauramaki

I think Anthony Small tries too hard. The ringwalk, the feints, the post-interview: too transparent for experienced viewers. The good thing is you can tell, well from what I gathered, that he hasn't got an ingrained arrogance. It's a pretty visible shell. With the likes of Hamed and a small band of others in times recent past, you just had a feeling that, even though 80-90% of it was for show, they really did have a nasty streak. I don't think Small has that. He's got a decent enough ruthless streak though, because once he'd got past Kauramaki's borderline-excellent technical smarts he kept hitting the target over and over. Very unfortunate the Finn could not hold a shot or he'd be a very decent EBU level operator indeed.

Sam Webb - Gatis Skuja

Was kinda disappointed in young Webb. It was an excellently hard-fought four rounds, but I thought I saw glimpeses of his level last night. He apparently had an injured hand and Skuja was tough and right in there, but I'm not sure whether it was trying to please the big fan base or what, but he just didn't look like he brought his top game. Or maybe he did? Time will tell. With Maloney and Sky backing I think he'll make good value in broadcasts to come.

I liked what I saw with Haye. He showed some good defensive moves, took his time, showed a lovely repertoire of shots. Now, it didn't all come together seamlessly, but he got some rounds for fucks sake.

I felt Nelson and McCrory were WAY too harsh. How can Nelson, a fighter I like, complain about giving the other guy too much respect? The outrage!

Haye looks a great talent to me. 3x dominant wins vs Euro level guys now, one of whom is world class (Gurov)


Anyone think Nelson looked a bit gaunt?

Freiheit wrote:Didnt see the fight sp I cant comment on how Haye look, but I do have a little rant.

A lot of people here babled about Haye winning in 1-2 rounds despite never having seen Johansen fight. Maybe some people actually have to do some research before making statements like walk over ect.

I did some research and still made a wrong prediction

As for the undercard i agree with Manos especially regarding Small, he feints and dummies so much he makes me dizzy and dare i say was actually a bit boring to watch, especially in the first round. So many times he got into range i was crying out for him to throw some punches, luckily in round 2 i got my wish and he let the shots go. He is looking great at this sort of level but when he steps up he needs more substance because they won't drop so easily, his style catches people unawares a bit, that's why he disposed so quickly of Ismael Kerzazi when Jones laboured through 5 rounds with the same guy.

I also think Small is a bit transparent personality wise, he tries too hard to be a character. His little one liners always come out wrong everytime i hear him interviewed! "I'm like the emperor, everything i touch turns to gold and all the others starve..." or something like that, what the flip is that all about?

Woolcombe-Monteiro was ok, Monteiro was so unorthodox it made for a messy fight and the fact his hair kept coming loose was annoying. Woolcombe i'm still not convinced about, maybe he is a slow burner but is 20-0 and how close could you honestly say he is to British title level? Which brings me on nicely to my next point, the SKY British Light Middleweight ratings..bit perplexed to see 1) Wayne Alexander 2) Bradley Pryce 3) Jamie Moore?? Would have had British champ Moore at one, Alexander holds that WBU none entity and Pryce had a good Commonwealth win over Duran but in his first LM fight. Strange.

Finally Sam Webb, looked good, nice name for the opponent. How many of these Latvians are there fighting out of London? I agreed with the commentators, Webb rushes a lot and maybe longer fights would benefit him as he could relax a bit more and not rush it all into 4 rounds. Overall he has potential and i can see the comparisons to Hatton in there.

It was good that Haye got the chance to try out different gears. just about everyone else is down and out after the first flush right hand. He should forget the European guys and gun for Enzo and Hobson

I was impressed with Haye's performance. Johansen started to 'fancy the job' after a few rounds & started to coem forward a lot more. However, I always felt David was in control, and the extra rounds will do him good. He needs fights where he's made to work, so he can improve.

However, it's obvious Haye struggles with the weight, and I think he's on a race against time.

Adam Booth recently stated he would be happy to put Haye in wth the like of Cruiserweight champ Bell. Do you guys think this is too premature?

Rocky Balboa wrote:I was impressed with Haye's performance. Johansen started to 'fancy the job' after a few rounds & started to coem forward a lot more. However, I always felt David was in control, and the extra rounds will do him good. He needs fights where he's made to work, so he can improve.

However, it's obvious Haye struggles with the weight, and I think he's on a race against time.

Adam Booth recently stated he would be happy to put Haye in wth the like of Cruiserweight champ Bell. Do you guys think this is too premature?

I think Haye has "Wladimir Klitschko Syndrome" I thought he looked like he was worried he wouldn't last the pace which is why his punch output dropped so alarmingly during the fight.
Bell IMO would steamroller him because outside of having one hell of a dig Haye looks to me to be a front foot fighter and against a guy like O'Neil Bell whose reputation is based on grit, heart and pure guts would have to fight in the trenches which I dont think he can.

Rocky Balboa wrote:I was impressed with Haye's performance. Johansen started to 'fancy the job' after a few rounds & started to coem forward a lot more. However, I always felt David was in control, and the extra rounds will do him good. He needs fights where he's made to work, so he can improve.

However, it's obvious Haye struggles with the weight, and I think he's on a race against time.

Adam Booth recently stated he would be happy to put Haye in wth the like of Cruiserweight champ Bell. Do you guys think this is too premature?

definitely premature. Haye would need all the stamina, control, solid boxing that he can pull together. Talent wise he's a world above Bell, but Bell is so good at drawing the steam out of a fighter and beating them up late.

Some effort should be made to cultivate the British rivalries. We've got three damn good British fighters in haye, Enzo and Hobson, not forgetting Nelson and even Thompson.

Johanson was winning rounds and outlanding Haye. Hayes speed, power and reactions are world class. But he failed to get the jab working and didn't have the workrate to keep Johanson backed up.

Haye is also a 2 round fighter at this stage who has got little left after the first 2. Johanson brought a little pressure and a little power. If anyone can survive the first 2 and have allot of pressure or allot of power they'll take Haye unless he improves this.

The stoppage was very bogus, the ref was looking to rescure Haye. Haye would of won anyway but he got rescued. If it went the distance I cold see it been 7-5 or 8-4. Johanson won 2 or 3 rounds for my money.

Haye has great reactions and defensive abilty early but when he tires hes very easy to hit. How many jabs did Johanson land.

When he looks good he reminds me of a young Lennox Lewis.

Haye should fight Hobson who'll drag him into deep waters too but won't have the power to stop him.

I get the impression DH is not going to change too much whatever happens. With the type of power he has, he's always going to take risks and bank on that get out of jail TNT he has.
He has the talent to take out some of the top boys and really cause some surprises, but also the vunerability that could see him upset when we least expect it.

I'd be tempted to take a gamble and move him quick. Don't want to see him come unstuck in a run of the mill fight and spoil the fireworks we'll see when he mixes it a top level. Plus the weight seems to be another reason to put him in with top 10 fighters this year.

Haye was boxing within himself, but that's not so alarming. The guy's been knocking almost everyone out. it's good that he's being patient, trying out new moves. he showed a fine up jab, used some good footwork and head movement, and even if all the moves weren't working smoothly, he's now got a good chance to perfect them. i liked how he tried to time his right hand of johansen's jab when LJ was coming on. I think haye is moving in the right direction. would be fornicating great if he could fight Hobson.

viciousmaussa wrote:I liked what I saw with Haye. He showed some good defensive moves, took his time, showed a lovely repertoire of shots. Now, it didn't all come together seamlessly, but he got some rounds for fucks sake.

I felt Nelson and McCrory were WAY too harsh. How can Nelson, a fighter I like, complain about giving the other guy too much respect? The outrage!

Haye looks a great talent to me. 3x dominant wins vs Euro level guys now, one of whom is world class (Gurov)


Anyone think Nelson looked a bit gaunt?

gurov......world class!!!!

the whole division has about 3 world class talents in it,5 maximum.haye has the talent to become world class,but there are still big question marks over his defense,stamina ane of couse his chin.didnt like the way he was getting backed up by a guy 2lb inside the cruiser limit.does'nt bode well if he is gonna step up to heavy.also,they really should drop the whole lennox lewis comparison thing! it's laughable.completely ridiculous.and more than anything,a complete insult to a great champion.would lewis get dropped heavily by a freaking super middle!?!?!?!

yiddo14 wrote:

viciousmaussa wrote:I liked what I saw with Haye. He showed some good defensive moves, took his time, showed a lovely repertoire of shots. Now, it didn't all come together seamlessly, but he got some rounds for fucks sake.

I felt Nelson and McCrory were WAY too harsh. How can Nelson, a fighter I like, complain about giving the other guy too much respect? The outrage!

Haye looks a great talent to me. 3x dominant wins vs Euro level guys now, one of whom is world class (Gurov)


Anyone think Nelson looked a bit gaunt?

gurov......world class!!!!

the whole division has about 3 world class talents in it,5 maximum.haye has the talent to become world class,but there are still big question marks over his defense,stamina ane of couse his chin.didnt like the way he was getting backed up by a guy 2lb inside the cruiser limit.does'nt bode well if he is gonna step up to heavy.also,they really should drop the whole lennox lewis comparison thing! it's laughable.completely ridiculous.and more than anything,a complete insult to a great champion.would lewis get dropped heavily by a freaking super middle!?!?!?!

gurov gave mormeck fits and was top 10 rated

bell, mormeck, cunningham, cora, nelson are top quality fighters. braithwaite is a hell of a puncher, guillermo jones is a hard nut. cruiser's one of the better divisions

Haye has certain limitations, he can't fight at a sustained pace, he likes to pick his spots

When he gets involved in exchanges he looks untidy and disorganised, and is not comfortable with fighting 'in the pocket'

His power too seems to fade after a few rounds, he wasn't able to make Johannsen take a backward step after the 1st couple of rounds last night, and I thought it would go the distance.

Wish I had recorded it now so I could watch it again.

viciousmaussa wrote:gurov gave mormeck fits and was top 10 rated

You are right Maussa, Gurov outboxed Mormeck from the outside, when he tired Mormeck closed in and finished the job.

I knew Haye when I was at University. Lovely bloke. As for his boxing he has great attributes and bad ones. My biggest criticism....his trainer! Its his best friend apparently and thats just not going to work. Secondly what has Booth done to prove he is a world class trainer? He never boxed at a high level and I know you don't have to to be a great coach but I have my reservations. We have one of Britian's best talents for a while being trained by a novice. The best thing for Haye is to decide what he wants. The material things and people around him who will never question him or to knuckle down, train hard and get a World class trainer who is going to show him and tell him who's boss. If not I can see his talent being wasted and being beaten at the final hurdle by guys wo are no where near as good as him.

Better! To me it showed he can win a fight thats not all going his way. Yes he let Johansen back into the fight but he got much needed rounds and got the stoppage in the end. Fair play to Johansen he has an excellent chin.

steve689 wrote:

viciousmaussa wrote:gurov gave mormeck fits and was top 10 rated

You are right Maussa, Gurov outboxed Mormeck from the outside, when he tired Mormeck closed in and finished the job.

he also had mormeck near shitting himself with a hook to the body. it was at the end of one of the mid rounds, i believe.

was impressed with the overall show, obviously the maloneys worked hard to sell it and their pr for this show obviouly worked. haye boxed in front of his first sellout crowd and the theme of returning to the capital was a good one. maloney is obviously using the same tactics that he used to convince the british public that lewis was british but this time, he is convincing londoners that haye is the best thing since the days of john h stracey and frank bruno. and i believe he will do this. but the one thing that must concern him is the professionalism of the people around haye.
the lennox lewis setup was totally professional and the preparation for fights was always first class. no corners were cut and i was around to witness some of the measures and preparations that were taken. maloney may get away with building haye up to the british public to a certain level but unless he has the balls to stand up to haye and some of his team members, this so called new journey as he likes to put it won't be going much further than london. let's not kid ourselves, anyone who knows david haye, even from his days at fitzroy lodge knows that there are big question marks over his temperment and preparation. this will be the downfall of haye and it will be interesting to see who takes responsibility and who blames who. the marriage is still in it's honeymoon stage. personally, i ask myself does maloney still have the drive and ambition or is this just his final fling and will just go along with what haye and his people want until it finally ends. and lets hope it ends soon or to quote the times "the midget might be crazy enough to bring out the union jack suit again".