David Haye Faces His Biggest Test

THE famous story of David and Goliath is a prominent story that applies in all walks of life, but none more so than on Saturday night in Nuremburg, Germany.

Britain's David Haye will take on Nicolay Valuev for the WBA Heavyweight World Title in what is 'the Hayemaker's' biggest fight to date.

In Valuev, he faces not only the biggest but also the heaviest champion of all time...so how will the former undisputed Cruiserweight Champion knock over the man they call "the Beast from the East."

Until now, when I have been asked by friends, "Who do you think will win?" I have always returned the same answer, and that is Nicolay Valuev. This isn't because i do not rate Haye as a boxer but i can simply not imagine how it is physically possible to beat a man of this size.

Even when Haye fought Monte Barrett (a man of similar proportion) in a warm up heavyweight fight he failed to land a real telling shot on the chin despite all of his good work. So how can he chin a man that stands at over seven foot tall?

This is an opinion i held until i watched a tape of the fight between Evander Holyfield and Valuev. Holyfield, a former cruiserweight, was desperately unlucky to lose that fight. He outboxed, outfoxed and out punched the Russian—and we all know Holyfield was shot by this point in a stellar career.

Speed and footwork are the key for Haye. Despite his lack of experience in the weight division, if he can keep his chin down and use his speed it only takes one punch to win a fight. Holyfield found success with the overhand right (a natural punch to hit a bigger man) so Haye must take comfort in the fact that it can be done.

The question is, can Haye stay out of trouble himself and stay patient enough to hand the Russian only his second defeat in over fifty fights.

It is no secret that the heavyweight scene is in desperate need of a new superstar. At present, Kilitschko brothers aside, there are no personalities or true athletes at that weight that can help bring glamour back to a sport that once housed names such as Frazier, Ali, and Foreman.

With all of the hype and pre-fight antics that he has brought to the table, let's hope he can back it up in the ring.