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As you know both Wladimir Klitschko and David Haye suffered a pretty big loss early into their career against opponents they were expected to bury. But which one was more significant? I'll break it down:
Ross Puritty and Carl Thompson had 38 fights when they faced their respective opponents. They both won by TKO following Haye and Klitschko's meltdowns after running out of gas. Here are the differences:
Ross Puritty - 24-13-1 at the time. Significant results were a draw with Tommy Morrison and losses to Corrie Sanders, Hasim Rahman, Chris Byrd and Kirk Johnson. He had fought once for a world title, the WBU version of the trinket and lost a decision. Going into the fight with Klitschko, Puritty had lost three of his last five. Puritty won a late stoppage victory after Klitschko appeared unable to defend himself.
Carl Thompson - 32 - 6 - 0. Significant results include back to back wins over Chris Eubank, a TKO loss to Ralf Rocchigiani in his first bid for a world title followed by a split decision win in the rematch to clinch the WBO cruiserweight belt. Following his KO loss to Ezra Sellers Thompson was on a four fight winning streak when he faced the Hayemaker. Thompson beat Haye after his corner threw in the towel in the fifth round.
Both Haye and Klitschko were relatively green leading into their fights and this contributed to their losses without a doubt.
Haye had been an active professional for a little over a year and had just 10 fights, none of which were scheduled for more than 10 rounds. He had won the vacant British title, knocking out Tony Dowling, and had stopped all ten of his victims prior to fighting Thompson.
Klitschko had been active for two years with a total of 24 fights under his belt. 23 of these wins were inside the distance with 22 stoppages and a disqualification. During this time Wladimir won the vacant WBC international title and had defended it twice with some five non-title bouts in between.
In both cases it is obvious that the superior talent lost due to inexperience in the face of veteran opposition. But which loss was more significant?
Ross Puritty and Carl Thompson had 38 fights when they faced their respective opponents. They both won by TKO following Haye and Klitschko's meltdowns after running out of gas. Here are the differences:
Ross Puritty - 24-13-1 at the time. Significant results were a draw with Tommy Morrison and losses to Corrie Sanders, Hasim Rahman, Chris Byrd and Kirk Johnson. He had fought once for a world title, the WBU version of the trinket and lost a decision. Going into the fight with Klitschko, Puritty had lost three of his last five. Puritty won a late stoppage victory after Klitschko appeared unable to defend himself.
Carl Thompson - 32 - 6 - 0. Significant results include back to back wins over Chris Eubank, a TKO loss to Ralf Rocchigiani in his first bid for a world title followed by a split decision win in the rematch to clinch the WBO cruiserweight belt. Following his KO loss to Ezra Sellers Thompson was on a four fight winning streak when he faced the Hayemaker. Thompson beat Haye after his corner threw in the towel in the fifth round.
Both Haye and Klitschko were relatively green leading into their fights and this contributed to their losses without a doubt.
Haye had been an active professional for a little over a year and had just 10 fights, none of which were scheduled for more than 10 rounds. He had won the vacant British title, knocking out Tony Dowling, and had stopped all ten of his victims prior to fighting Thompson.
Klitschko had been active for two years with a total of 24 fights under his belt. 23 of these wins were inside the distance with 22 stoppages and a disqualification. During this time Wladimir won the vacant WBC international title and had defended it twice with some five non-title bouts in between.
In both cases it is obvious that the superior talent lost due to inexperience in the face of veteran opposition. But which loss was more significant?
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