Haye Vs Valuev: What Did We Learn?

Hi

Nikolai Valuev vs David Haye was always going to be a test for both men. Haye had to try and use a quicker and slicker form of offence and Valuev had to try and counter this and prevent him dancing. I watched the fight with great intrigue and I wanted to see what both men could do.

But what did we actually learn from the fight?

1) Haye is no one trick pony.

Many people have accused Haye of being someone who could just hit very hard and that he had few boxing skills. He showed that he clealry he has good boxing and boxed using a clever and effective strategy coming in quickly and hitting before getting back out off reach. He didn't go in for the KO and I think in his heart of hearts he knew he had to try and win on points. Even though he did hurt Valuev and at the end he did try and go for the knockout he box3d using his brain and not his ego.  

2) Valuev is better than most people think

Nikolai Valuev is viewed as great big lumbering giant who can hit pretty hard but is as agile dead elephant. He showed some good work in the ring. He still tried to use his style of walking in and trying to pin the opponent against the ropes. But very occasionally he would suddenly dart in or do a little side step. It wasn't anything overly impressive but it showed that jsut because he is big doesn't mean he cant't move well and handle himself in the ring

3) No way is Haye ready for one of the Klitschko brothers.

I have heard several people say that David Haye should take on one of the Klitschko brothers on yet. He is by no means ready for that. They are far more talented than Valuev and Haye only won the match on a very close points decision. Haye may have good boxing skills and those were demonstrated last night but there was by no means enough there to suggest that we could beat either Vladimir or Vitali. Their skills are too strong for Haye and Haye would have little chance against them unless he could hit a truly good shot flush as the Klitschko's do have slightly suspect chins. But saying that so does Haye.

4) The overall weakness of the Heavyweight Division still exists.

The Heavyweight division has been fairly weak for a long time now. Since the era of Tyson and Lewis the heavyweight division has been one of the weakest of them all. Much more intrest has been focused on the lighter divisions. Last night showed that neither Haye or Valuev if you compare to some of the other heavyweights from the past are fantastic boxers. I know that this view willl get a heavy backlash from Haye and Valuev fans but if they both ended their career now would either join the other greats (Ali, Frazier etc). I really doubt it. Have does have youth on his side and he could still produce something memorable and legendary but Valuev I very much doubt that he will even get another World title shot. Haye needs to unify the division and bring the Heavyweight divison back into the mainstream public and then he could still be placed alongside those great names.

5) Haye needs to be very careful

Haye was very confident going into the fight and he did taunt Valuev a lot. I am fine with it and mind games are good as it is all part of the fun. But Haye needs to watch out. He ran very close to going too far with some of what he said. Also after the Klitschko head T-shirt Haye has made several enemies. He needs to be very careful that one day he doesn't take it so far with someone who is bigger, better and stronger and he could suffer one hell of a beating. There is nothing wrong with mind games but you have to realize where the limit is.

Overall the night belonged to David Haye he showed smooth skills and a stronger punch than most people though by making Valuev wobble like he did at the end. I hope David Haye goes on to be succesful. If he is clever he can still dominate the Hevayweight world

Hope you enjoyed my first boxing article it has taken along time to get round to it

This was...

The Trivium Fan

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