Would you consider the winner of a Vitali vs. Haye fight to be a great Heavyweight? Now, I don't mean greater than or equal to an Ali or Foreman, but as the truly great Heavyweight of our time, as opposed to being a really good one in a bad division? IMO, beating Wlad wouldn't do it for me, as I don't think he's better than his big brother, and I'm sure they both know that. But if any true contender managed to beat Vitali, or if Vitali fought and beat the closest peers he has in a Wlad or Haye, I would personally be willing to call the winner a truly great fighter.
It was his second fight at HW where he was outweighed by 100 pounds against a guy who has the height of a NBA center. If he looks unspectacular and Ruiz, then yeah, probably not the goods then.
I don't care if he was outweighed, Holyfield (47 year old Holyfield) did the same Haye did except he got robbed by the judges, if that's the best Haye has he'll get starched against the Klitschkos.
Anyways I'm not going to continue arguing since you have your opinion and I have mine, time will tell (if Haye ever mans up and fights a Klitschko of course).
It was his second fight at HW where he was outweighed by 100 pounds against a guy who has the height of a NBA center. If he looks unspectacular and Ruiz, then yeah, probably not the goods then.
I don't even believe the Klits. think that Haye is no better than Peter. Anyways, I'm not saying that I think Haye can beat one fighter, retire, and then expect to be great. However, if he beats preferably both of them, some top contenders for a couple of years, and then retires, I don't see how you can say that he wouldn't be the great Heavyweight of our time.
If he did it, sure, he would be, but he's not going to do it. His performance against Valuev was an indicator that he's nowhere near the Klitschkos level.
I don't even believe the Klits. think that Haye is no better than Peter. Anyways, I'm not saying that I think Haye can beat one fighter, retire, and then expect to be great. However, if he beats preferably both of them, some top contenders for a couple of years, and then retires, I don't see how you can say that he wouldn't be the great Heavyweight of our time.
I want Haye to fight Wlad, because if he fought Vitali each brother would have 2 titles and we still wouldn't have an undisputed champ. I have no doubts that either Klitschko would KO/TKO Haye, he would be a no better win than Peter, Sanders, Chagaev, Ibragimov or any of the other champions the bros have already beaten, unless he starts fighting and dominating top contenders as the brothers are doing (and no, Ruiz is not one, though I don't think Haye will dominate him either).
Vitali is already a great HW win,lose or draw.
If Haye would to win it would be a very good win but it would depend on Vitali's performance since he;s past his best and that could discredit Haye's win.
Also one great win doesn't necessarily make you a great fighter,it would depend on what he would do after.
vitalis already a great heavyweight.. but haye can overtake him if he beats ruiz impressively makes 3 or 4 good defences n beats either of the klitschkos
haye hasn't done shit at HW. if vitaly beats him it means nothing.
Basing literally everything off resume is popular but seriously, if Haye impressively beats Ruiz, he might be the most talented Heavyweight Vitali has fought in a while. If I had my way, after Ruiz, Haye would fight and beat Wlad first, then tackle big brother second. Vitali would benefit because no one could say Haye wasn't a good legit heavyweight if he were to lose to Vitali after beating Wlad, and Haye would benefit because he would get another preparatory heavyweight fight against a large heavyweight, though one who isn’t as good as Vitali. Honestly, if that scenario played out, then Vitali vs. Haye would be the most important heavyweight super fight in years with tons of media hype between the brother’s revenge angle and Haye’s personality, almost going to May vs. Pac. proportions. :boxing:
i dont think you can really argue Vitali not being a great heavy weight champ already i dont even think the division is in as bad shape as everyone says i just think the way they win there fights over everyone makes it look worse then it is. im not saying there the best heavy weights ever by any means but i think them going down as two of the greats is already a done deal. and as for Haye if he wins hes on his way but i wouldn't be calling him an all time great yet
I disagree, Vitali is taylor made for Haye. This is gonna be one of those fights where if you read comments pre and post fight you will be in hysterics just like Gatti-Mayweather threads.
Mark my words, I'm willing to bet points, 100k? 200k? on Haye to win. I'll work upto those points by fight night.
Nope, Vitali should beat Haye, easily, Haye is a chinny cruiser who's style is tailor made for Klitschko. If Haye beats Vitali, then he may eventually become a great heavyweight.
oh btw I think Vitali is almost a great Havyweight, but he needs to beat someone better than Haye to seal the deal
Yeah, in another era, Vitali may have been recognized as a great fighter, but this is the here and now. Who do you think would be a better victory than Haye right now, considering he isn't going to beat up his little brother? Vitali fighting Haye and father time as well. Is there anything he could do?