BoxRec

Right, David Haye says he isn't going to fight into his 31st year so that leaves him perhaps five fights left at heavyweight. And he says he isn't going to go the long way around to win a world title, and there's even talk of unifying the division in eighteen months or so, which would be mad. If you had to choose his next five fights, who would you choose for him, bearing in mind that he wants to go straight to the top? I would pick, in this order:

1 - Matt Skelton: (if Skelton Sinan Simal Sam for the vacant EBU title. And could you imagine if Haye knocked out Skelton? It would probably scare the living daylights out of all those 'champion' heavyweights. Failing to knock Skelton out, it would give him rounds and experience against a tough cookie in Skelton, plus a mediocre belt what he could vacate straight away.

2 - Hasim Rahman: (a biggish name, which would get Haye acknowledged stateside even more - he also has a glass jaw so I would expect Haye to blow him away in three or four rounds)

3 - Ruslan Chagaev: (assuming that he comes through against his mandatory in Nicolay Valuev he would bring a belt, not the most sought after one though, but at least it's a world title. He would beat Chagaev for me as well, Chagaev is too slow and predictable and would struggle over twelve rounds like he did against Skelton. I couldn't see Haye knocking Chagaev out but I could see Chagaev getting pulled out by his corner.)

4 - Samuel Peter: (a unification fight if Peter hangs on to his world title. An easy win as well - Peter gets tired and again, is way too slow. He's also got a venerable chin as proved against Jameel McCLine.)

5 - The number one challenger whoever it may be, whether it be Klitsckho , Povetkin, Dimitrenko or Arreloa. At the moment I think Haye struggles with Klitsckho, what with that beautiful jab that the Kilt possesses. I could see Haye struggling a lot, and losing a widish decision - it would also be boring, hence why I don't want it to happen just yet.

Thoughts?

Well, I personally would love it if Haye became only the third man in history to hold all four versions of the Cruiserweight belt.

Enzo Maccarinelli was considered world class by many, but most thought Cunnigham should have been considered the #2 Cruiserweight.

Dioufy wrote:Right, David Haye says he isn't going to fight into his 31st year so that leaves him perhaps five fights left at heavyweight. And he says he isn't going to go the long way around to win a world title, and there's even talk of unifying the division in eighteen months or so, which would be mad. If you had to choose his next five fights, who would you choose for him, bearing in mind that he wants to go straight to the top? I would pick, in this order:

1 - Matt Skelton: (if Skelton Sinan Simal Sam for the vacant EBU title. And could you imagine if Haye knocked out Skelton? It would probably scare the living daylights out of all those 'champion' heavyweights. Failing to knock Skelton out, it would give him rounds and experience against a tough cookie in Skelton, plus a mediocre belt what he could vacate straight away.

2 - Hasim Rahman: (a biggish name, which would get Haye acknowledged stateside even more - he also has a glass jaw so I would expect Haye to blow him away in three or four rounds)

3 - Ruslan Chagaev: (assuming that he comes through against his mandatory in Nicolay Valuev he would bring a belt, not the most sought after one though, but at least it's a world title. He would beat Chagaev for me as well, Chagaev is too slow and predictable and would struggle over twelve rounds like he did against Skelton. I couldn't see Haye knocking Chagaev out but I could see Chagaev getting pulled out by his corner.)

4 - Samuel Peter: (a unification fight if Peter hangs on to his world title. An easy win as well - Peter gets tired and again, is way too slow. He's also got a venerable chin as proved against Jameel McCLine.)

5 - The number one challenger whoever it may be, whether it be Klitsckho , Povetkin, Dimitrenko or Arreloa. At the moment I think Haye struggles with Klitsckho, what with that beautiful jab that the Kilt possesses. I could see Haye struggling a lot, and losing a widish decision - it would also be boring, hence why I don't want it to happen just yet.

Thoughts?

This is a good list you've compiled.

Whio do you think would provide the sternest test?

Ironically I think Skelton with his roughhouse style would worry Haye the most. He's tough & the fact that Haye likes to brawl would play into Skelton's hands.

There is that thought. However there is also the though that the massive advantage in class that Haye has over Skelton would be a factor.

Haye would spark Klitschko. He'd scare him to death. Klit fights scared against soft punching mediocrities like Brock and Ibragimov.

Hayes more likely to come unstuck against Sam Peter than Wlad frickin Klit.

Autobarn wrote:There is that thought. However there is also the though that the massive advantage in class that Haye has over Skelton would be a factor.

Good point; & there's the fact that Matt is at least 500 years old!! :P

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Dioufy wrote:Right, David Haye says he isn't going to fight into his 31st year so that leaves him perhaps five fights left at heavyweight. And he says he isn't going to go the long way around to win a world title, and there's even talk of unifying the division in eighteen months or so, which would be mad. If you had to choose his next five fights, who would you choose for him, bearing in mind that he wants to go straight to the top? I would pick, in this order:

1 - Matt Skelton: (if Skelton Sinan Simal Sam for the vacant EBU title. And could you imagine if Haye knocked out Skelton? It would probably scare the living daylights out of all those 'champion' heavyweights. Failing to knock Skelton out, it would give him rounds and experience against a tough cookie in Skelton, plus a mediocre belt what he could vacate straight away.

2 - Hasim Rahman: (a biggish name, which would get Haye acknowledged stateside even more - he also has a glass jaw so I would expect Haye to blow him away in three or four rounds)

3 - Ruslan Chagaev: (assuming that he comes through against his mandatory in Nicolay Valuev he would bring a belt, not the most sought after one though, but at least it's a world title. He would beat Chagaev for me as well, Chagaev is too slow and predictable and would struggle over twelve rounds like he did against Skelton. I couldn't see Haye knocking Chagaev out but I could see Chagaev getting pulled out by his corner.)

4 - Samuel Peter: (a unification fight if Peter hangs on to his world title. An easy win as well - Peter gets tired and again, is way too slow. He's also got a venerable chin as proved against Jameel McCLine.)

5 - The number one challenger whoever it may be, whether it be Klitsckho , Povetkin, Dimitrenko or Arreloa. At the moment I think Haye struggles with Klitsckho, what with that beautiful jab that the Kilt possesses. I could see Haye struggling a lot, and losing a widish decision - it would also be boring, hence why I don't want it to happen just yet.

Thoughts?

This is a good list you've compiled.

Whio do you think would provide the sternest test?

Ironically I think Skelton with his roughhouse style would worry Haye the most. He's tough & that fact the Haye likes to brawl would play into Skelton's hands.

I think Skelton would be an handful, as would Chagaev with a granite chin. I think Haye blows Peters and Rahman away though.

1. Sprott - as an introduction to the HW division, a decent, skilled fighter but not the biggest puncher around.
2. Rahman - a step up from Sprotty, former world champ with a dangerous punch
3. Chageav - the most beatable of the 3 champs for Haye right now
4. One defence of the WBA title, against the top ranked contender
5. Unification match, probably against the winner of Klitschko - Peter. This one could be the Hayemakers undoing

I'd go three fights in the next 15 months then Wlad end of 2009

1) Sinal Sam (not sure of the right spelling, but the Turk)
2) Toney or Rahman
3) Rahman or Toney
4) Klitschko
5) win and defend against whoever

chris s wrote:I'd go three fights in the next 15 months then Wlad end of 2009

1) Sinal Sam (not sure of the right spelling, but the Turk)
2) Toney or Rahman
3) Rahman or Toney
4) Klitschko
5) win and defend against whoever

Toney is a good shout.

The press conference would be explosive; two fighters with the gift of the gab & always like to have the last word!!!

I think Hasim Rahman will be next or even Toney perhaps. Both good names but full of wear and tear. If Skelton loses to Sam for the Euro then that would be a good one for Haye provided he had already taken a warm up bout beforehand.

dr_devious wrote:1. Sprott - as an introduction to the HW division, a decent, skilled fighter but not the biggest puncher around.
2. Rahman - a step up from Sprotty, former world champ with a dangerous punch
3. Chageav - the most beatable of the 3 champs for Haye right now
4. One defence of the WBA title, against the top ranked contender
5. Unification match, probably against the winner of Klitschko - Peter. This one could be the Hayemakers undoing

Numbers 2 to five are fine, but Sprott Personally I'd not get excited to see an Undisputed Crusierweight World Champion fighting Sprott next at Heavyweight.

Haye should go straight into a fight like Rahman who is known and then go for a title. I don't even think he should go for the European, a well known fighter like Rahman would sell well in the States for a stepping up Cruiserweight World Champion on a fast track to the Heavyweight titles.

I still like Povetkin to get Wlad. I think he fights well coming forward. He great good handspeed, uses feints to unsettle his foes, knows how to fight up close, has a fluid style and has great will powr. He had the flu vs the tricky Eddie Chambers yet just overwhelmed him after taking some clean shots, over the 2nd half.

would love to see him fight audley harrison, haye would prolly take it, but would like to see the fight coming through

observer1 wrote:would love to see him fight audley harrison, haye would prolly take it, but would like to see the fight coming through

I very much doubt it. Haye is after US money (big money, like Hatton has made) and will fight names who are known in the US. I don't think he'll fight any Brits.

Think Harrison may provide the introductory test for Haye, as as poor as Audley is, he is a 18st+, 6ft 6" big heavyweight. Be interesting how Haye would handle bein the smaller man??

1 Witherspoon
2 Briggs or Maskaev or Brewster
3 Povetkin
4 Chagaev
5 Peter

But if he goes with Warren it'll be

1 Damon Reed
2 Williams
3 Skelton
4 Harrison
5 Kandelaki (for WBU belt)

I doubt he'll face any Brits, unless Skelton beats SSS. I think he might go for a name in the US like Chambers or Rahman. Maybe even Ibragimov. Or else it could just be a keep busy waiting for an EBU opportunity - Sosnowski, Bhaktov, Hersisia, Moli etc. Perfect introduction would be Golota, but that would involve soul selling to DK. One fight then the European title. With that, and the fact he's a former champion, he'll have a high WBC rating, but will have to bide his time there given Klitschko, JCG, Virchis etc all has to happen.

Any ideas what sort of time frame Haye might be keeping, and when he'll be back in action?

Autobarn wrote:I still like Povetkin to get Wlad. I think he fights well coming forward. He great good handspeed, uses feints to unsettle his foes, knows how to fight up close, has a fluid style and has great will powr. He had the flu vs the tricky Eddie Chambers yet just overwhelmed him after taking some clean shots, over the 2nd half.

You didnt see Chambers smashing Povetkin with the right time and again then? If that was Wald Povetkin wouldnt be standing

You think Povetkin isn't going to get hit vs a little fast compact fighter like Chambers?

How do you know Wlad is going to hit him with the same punch? It comes from much higher - giving Povetkin better opportunity to duck - and he only throws it after a prodding jab. Wlad's rhythm is geriatric: his jab is like a crippled person putting one foot in front o fthe other oh so carefully.

Povetkin outworked a classy young fighter in Chambers, when he was suffering the flu, and totally took the guy's heart. Povetkin has faced three tricky Yanks in a row that would make anyone look awkward. He has skills, and he has substance - he was throwing 90 shots a round in the 2nd half of the Chambers fight.

There is pedigree with Povetkin, a fighter still learning. The man's a fine technician, and he'll have a game plan to take away Wlad's weapons.

None of Wlad's challengers have a clue about moving forward and have been either faded or in appalling condition, making Wlad look more able than he is.

Alex Stewart couldn't miss Evander Holyfield with right hands. Did that mean that Bowe and Lewis and Tyson were certain to put Evander away?

Haye versus Audley

Haye wont take on a Brit next. That would kill his stock quite a bit with the Yank market.

I'm sure HBO are getting boners over the prospect of showing Haye VS Skelton at 2 in the morning live and direct from York Hall.

1. Valuev
2. Maskaev/ US prospect
3. Klitschko
4. Peter if still champ, if not then Povetkin
5. Solis

now bear with me... my rationale is that if the first fight can be made, sacrificing purse, arena etc, Haye can win it. If he does this he can get a title shot quickly i think, especially if fight #2 is against a US HW prospect...

all this is moot anyway, he will go on past 30, they all say they are getting out young, hopefully we see him still going strong at 35, he can be really well remembered then

deadpan wrote:1 Witherspoon
2 Briggs or Maskaev or Brewster
3 Povetkin
4 Chagaev
5 Peter

But if he goes with Warren it'll be

1 Damon Reed
2 Williams
3 Skelton
4 Harrison
5 Kandelaki (for WBU belt)

You forgot Sprott? McDermott et al.

1. Johnny Nelson
2. Michael Sprott
3. Samil Sam
4. Evander Holyfield
5. Ruslan Chagaev