Wladimir Klitschko - how can Haye beat him?

[P4P Opinion]

Considered and well thought out analysis only folks, so don't post if you're only going to say who you think will win. Wladimir certainly can be beaten, but what does Haye have to do specifically to make it happen? I think we need to establish three key things to decide:

1. What are Wladimir's strengths?

2. What are Wladimir's weaknesses?

3. How does Wladimir compensate for these weaknesses?

I'll give you my two cents after a few other people have put forward opinions. I'm particularly interested in what Klitschko fans think Haye would have to do, but all opinions are welcome. I really think that this fight is one of those encounters in which the gameplan has to be perfect for the underdog to win (Haye), which is why I think it's a fascinating discussion.

[Akhi]

By brutally shattering his glass jaw

[The_Demon]

I think he has too try and take him out early.I may be alone in thinking this but i reckon Haye would have a better chance of beating Vitali right now

[RichCCFC]

1. What are Wladimir's strengths?
Best Jab in boxing, very heavy handed, he's a big and powerful man with a lot of reach. Throws straight, accurate punches

2. What are Wladimir's weaknesses?
Lack of inside game, questionable chin, confidence on finishing, lack of combinations.

3. How does Wladimir compensate for these weaknesses?
By jabbing, jabbing, holding. Might be boring time to time but no one has been able to stop him in years.

[P4P Opinion]

I think he has too try and take him out early.I may be alone in thinking this but i reckon Haye would have a better chance of beating Vitali right now

I agree that Haye will probably have to take Wladimir out early. Haye's stamina problems will mean he probably won't have the same power later on in the fight and Klitschko always finishes strong, as his confidence level rises throughout the fight. How does he get that knockout though?

[Rick Grimes]

Wlad is very hesitant and when he gets put under pressure he seems to crumble, when Haye decides to start swinging his speed and power is going to put Wlad in big trouble.

[P4P Opinion]

I'll answer my own questions:

1. What are Wladimir's strengths?

- Physically: tall, long reach, excellently conditioned, knockout power, fast hands (for a big man).

- Technically: excellent ramrod jab, powerful straight right/right cross, excellent defence.

- Mentally: disciplined, determined, has shown heart.

2. What are Wladimir's weaknesses?

- Physically: poor chin, occasional bad balance.

- Technically: no inside game, not a combination puncher.

- Mentally: lack of confidence in finishing and in his own chin, predictable, a lack of adaptability.

3. How does Wladimir compensate for these weaknesses?

By cautiously protecting his chin, only throwing power shots when an opponent is hurt, tired or particularly open, measuring his opponent with his jab and keeping the fight at a distance, holding on the inside, leaning down upon his opponents during clinches to sap energy from his opponent.

[TheGreatA]

He has to find a way to deal with the jab and negate the clinch. His speed and power also have to live up to their billing.

Haye can't really fight at long range, even though he prefers to, and if he tries to be the constant aggressor, Wladimir will simply smother him. He will have to mix it. Haye has fairly quick hands but he has to work on his foot and upperbody movement in order to win this fight. Haye keeps his hands low, so blocking/parrying Wladimir's jab is out of the option, he has to rely on his head movement to avoid it, and it'll be tough the longer the fight goes. Instead he will have to make Wladimir pay for each jab he misses by countering with the right hand, but Wladimir has a way of gauging the correct distance and is rarely at punching range, especially with the height advantages he has in this match-up. Haye has to be extra fast with both his hand and feet in order to shock Wladimir's defenses and send him crumbling towards the canvas.

A great technical display is not to be expected from him, instead it will be a magnificent display of violence if Haye is to win, something comparable to the Sanders bout. However it's difficult to see anything but Wladimir giving Haye a beating here. He's talked too much, and done too little.

[P4P Opinion]

He has to find a way to deal with the jab and negate the clinch. His speed and power also have to live up to their billing.

Haye can't really fight at long range, even though he prefers to, and if he tries to be the constant aggressor, Wladimir will simply smother him. He will have to mix it. Haye has fairly quick hands but he has to work on his foot and upperbody movement in order to win this fight. Haye keeps his hands low, so blocking/parrying Wladimir's jab is out of the option, he has to rely on his head movement to avoid it, and it'll be tough the longer the fight goes. Instead he will have to make Wladimir pay for each jab he misses by countering with the right hand, but Wladimir has a way of gauging the correct distance and is rarely at punching range, especially with the height advantages he has in this match-up. Haye has to be extra fast with both his hand and feet in order to shock Wladimir's defenses and send him crumbling towards the canvas.

A great technical display is not to be expected from him, instead it will be a magnificent display of violence if Haye is to win, something comparable to the Sanders bout. However it's difficult to see anything but Wladimir giving Haye a beating here. He's talked too much, and done too little.

Excellent response.

I like your point about the range Haye likes to fight at especially. The Catch-22 in this fight for Haye is that it would be suicidal for Haye to try and fight on the inside too much, because as you mentioned, he'll be smothered and will lose a lot of energy - energy that history suggests he can't afford to lose with regards to his stamina issues.

[Marcov]

I think for Haye to have any chance he will need to get inside Wlad's long jab without getting caught on the way in. Unlikely this will happen but that is the key.

I actually give Haye an advantage in handspeed but if Haye is outside taking Wlad's jab, it is over before it starts!