Vitali “Dr. Ironfist” Klitschko has dismantled all his ring rivals who tried to take away his WBC world heavyweight belt he won over South African Corrie Sanders in April of 2004.
WBO and IBF world heavyweight champion Wladimir “Dr. Steelhammer” Klitscho, Vitali’s younger brother, extended his winning streak to 12 by knocking out American “Fast Eddie” Chambers in the final round of their championship fight at the ESPRIT arena, Düsseldorf, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany, just hours ago.
David Haye wants to unify the heavyweight division.
Does he have a chance of beating the Klitschkos?
British boxing promoter Frank Maloney, famous for managing heavyweight great Lennox Lewis, believes that Haye “has the talent and charisma to eclipse the giant Ukrainians”.
But do boxing experts agree?
Adam Pollack, Cyber Boxing Zone
The Klitschkos will win. There isn't anyone out there right now who has a chance with the Klitschkos. I would like to see Povetkin in there, and maybe Solis, but you'd have to make the Klitschkos the favorites in any potential bout. The only thing that will beat them is age/loss of interest/injury or if some fantastic raw talent comes along.
Geoff Poundes, Ringside Report
I think they’re 50/50 fights. I’d choose Haye over Wlad, purely because I think Wlad closes up when he’s got a competitive fight on his hands, and he’ll avoid the confrontation with a fast, mobile Haye, who also carries a punch. Vitali is a different proposition, and has enough about him to land heavily on David, who, as we all know, has a brittle chin.
Mark Whicker, Orange County Register
I haven't seen Haye enough to know, but I doubt he can beat either.
Bill Dwyre, Los Angeles Times
David Haye? Are you kidding? If Godzilla fights the Klitschkos, the Klitschkos will be favored.
Frank Lotierzo, The Sweet Science
Wladimir and Vitaly will beat Haye - because he's not durable enough to beat them. And they're both really good and he's not.
Tony Nobbs, Eastside Boxing
My heart certainly says David Haye wins so I will go with that. He should be too fast for them. He will have to fight smart though. Probably on points but he might stop Wlad.
Chris Ackerman, Doghouse Boxing
David Haye doesn't have a prayer against either.
Michael Rosenthal, Ring Magazine
Haye's too small for the Klitschkos. He loses to both.
TP Walker, Eastside Boxing
A lot of people don't realize how truly marginal boxing is. It's not linear but it is marginal. Over the years fight fans have deemed titles as insignificant, still, believe it or not, those belts do carry weight. Haye was being asked to take a much lesser purse to fight the Klits who represent the largest test of his career. If he lost to either of them his star would dim considerably. If you're gonna take a career ending chance at least be certain that it is going to benefit you financially. He chose a different route. Now that he has the belt and if he dominates Ruiz he is in a huge bargaining place. Also, don't be surprised if the winner of Haye/Ruiz matches with the winner of Jones/Hopkins if the Klits don't bend a bit.
Ramon Aranda, 411mania
Haye gets KO'd by both Klitschkos. No one in the heavyweight division beats them right now outside of each other.
Brandon Estrict, Doghouse Boxing
Haye's got a puncher's chance with both, especially Vitali, but I think they both stop him.
Tony Penecale Jr, Fight News Unlimited
I think David Haye has a better chance against Wladimir as opposed to Vitali. Haye would be giving up size and strength against both brothers but Wlad is the more vulnerable of the two. He has shown weaknesses in his chin and stamina which has affected his confidence and sees him fighting in a cautious boring manner. If Haye can break through early, he might force Wlad in a shell. Vitali has more of a fighter's mentality, a better chin, and a killer instinct. I would pick both Klitschko brothers against David Haye but I would be more confident in the Vitali pick.
Jim Amato, DM Boxing
Haye loses to either Klitschko. In fact the only heavyweight fight that interests me is Vitali -vs- Wlad. It will never happen and it should never happen. The heavyweight division today, IMO...SUCKS !
Springs Toledo, The Sweet Science
David Haye has some technical skill, but he tosses it aside like unclaimed baggage when the heat turns up in the ring. He would need to be a defensively-tight pressure-fighter in order to compete with the Klitschkos. He must land an overhand or some other unanticipated shot on Wlad or Vitali early in order to take away not only their control, but their perception of their own control. Make them fear imminent unconsciousness if he cannot KO them, or else he will be controlled like the rest of their victims. Haye has a big problem though, and the fight against Valuev was an eye-opener. He doesn't trust his chin. This may ruin his ability to fight the Klitschkos effectively.
Ronan Keenan, The Sweet Science
I give Haye a good chance of hurting Wladimir, but I can't see him being effective against Vitali's awkward style.
Don Stewart, Reading Eagle
I think either Klitschko would knock Haye out. Someone is going to beat those two someday, but it won't be Haye.
Paul H. Burbridge, Eastside Boxing
David Haye is an exciting young heavyweight who has garnered some interest because of his flamboyant style and his bravado. That always sells in boxing. He’s a decent fighter with decent skills but he also has many flaws all of which spell doom against the best fighters in the division, the Klitschko brothers. Perhaps he has a chance against Wladimir if he gets lucky, but I don’t see any chance of him competing with Vitali. The reach of both men is far too great for Haye to penetrate and his poor stamina is a recipe for disaster. I also have very strong concerns about his chin. He's been visibly shaken by fighters who do not posses anywhere near the kind of fire power that each brother possesses. Plus he’s already proven to me that he is somewhat intimidated by the Klitschko brothers because he left BOTH standing at the altar. Right now, David Haye hasn’t proven to me that he’s anything more than a marketing genius so I think he would be better served by defending his WBA title against Chris Arreola before he even thinks about fighting either one of the brothers.
Don’t listen to the bravado because the reality is that he’s already had his chance to step up and all he did was step aside!
Right now, He loses to either brother!
David Greisman, BoxingScene
Don't know about Haye vs. Klitschkos. Want to see him in more heavyweight fights first.
Igor Frank, Burbank Times
Either Klitschko would destroy David Haye. That is why he pulled out of both fights. Both brothers have underrated boxing skills and speed and they are too big and too strong for Haye. Haye would not hear the final bell with either brother.
Charles White, Eastside Boxing
Against Vitali, Haye will have a very tough fight because Vitali has a great chin and is tough as nails. Vitali seems to have been slowing down a bit in recent fights, but is still a great fighter. I tend to lean towards Vitali by KO in the mid to late rounds though. Against Wladimir, Haye is also in for a long night because Wladimir is not only a great boxer, but he has one hell of a punch as well. His defense has improved remarkably in the past few years since he started working with Emanuel Steward. I want to say that Wladimir would win by late round KO, but if Haye can connect solidly on Wladimir's chin, then there is always the chance of a knockout.
- Big thanks to the above boxing experts for sharing their thoughts, Marshall N. B., marx7204@lycos.com
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