Why are people so critical of Haye's performance against Wlad?

[sunny31]

That has always been his style, Wlad's performance wasn't much better either, he too fought very cautious. My blame was never solely directed at Haye, but no complaints here as neither of the two are versatile. As soon as Haye would open up, Wlad would back pedal as oppose to countering and Haye would do the same exact thing. Difference is Wlad's size and ability to tire out his opponents with his weight by laying on them in the clinches...allowed him to take the initiative better. Haye is no different than Pascal, both fight exactly the same way if one looks closely, the same exact style man. And for the record I gave Haye 4 rounds...

That is a pretty good comparison actually never occurred to me. Difference being that Pascal doesn't have to fight guys 30lbs heavier than himself, that are also super talented.

I gave Haye 2 rounds and one even.

[Spray_resistant]

TS anyone who knows boxing and knows what the two fighters brought to the table and in the areas they are lacking knew that Haye's only chance was a slim punchers chance early where he needed to be aggressive, not let Wlad get into his usual gameplan he always imposes on opponents, put him on the defensive and land early with something hard to test that questionable chin also put doubts in Wlad's mind.

[IMDAZED]

TS anyone who knows boxing and knows what the two fighters brought to the table and in the areas they are lacking knew that Haye's only chance was a slim punchers chance early where he needed to be aggressive, not let Wlad get into his usual gameplan he always imposes on opponents, put him on the defensive and land early with something hard to test that questionable chin also put doubts in Wlad's mind.

That is the thinking but Wladimir is simply not the same fighter he was x amount of years ago. He's aware of his flaw so it's not a question of putting doubt in his mind. He has mastered the art of thwarting offensive fighters so realistically, your best bet is to get him to open up.

[savorduhflavor]

I agree with what everyone said. And he STILL gave a better account of himself than Adamke did against Vitali.

[gmc_rfc_06]

I thought he fought the right kind of fight, but he didn't bring the aggression that was required.

His defensive work was good, he slipped a lot of shots and he was never hurt, but the Haye that had to be there wasn't. He didn't put enough in the punches, he didn't take any chances to land and at no point did he fully go for it. The trash-talk is what made it worse.

[Spray_resistant]

That is the thinking but Wladimir is simply not the same fighter he was x amount of years ago. He's aware of his flaw so it's not a question of putting doubt in his mind. He has mastered the art of thwarting offensive fighters so realistically, your best bet is to get him to open up.

To me though he always looks very nervous the first few rounds until he is confident that what he is doing is working and Haye needed to make him panic and question whether this would be the usual Wlad show. It would have also been very risky for Haye but it was his big moment, he had the ability to do it but just would not take the risk.

There was no way he was going to beat Wlad on the outside throwing half the punches Wlad was throwing.

[Russian Crushin]

That has always been his style, Wlad's performance wasn't much better either, he too fought very cautious. My blame was never solely directed at Haye, but no complaints here as neither of the two are versatile. As soon as Haye would open up, Wlad would back pedal as oppose to countering and Haye would do the same exact thing. Difference is Wlad's size and ability to tire out his opponents with his weight by laying on them in the clinches...allowed him to take the initiative better. Haye is no different than Pascal, both fight exactly the same way if one looks closely, the same exact style man. And for the record I gave Haye 4 rounds...

That has NOT always been his style. THat has been his style since coming up to the HW division and pretty much becoming a defensive 1 punch counter puncher.

Point is Vlad fought pretty much how he always fights and won a wide decision. He actually tried to win and well won.

Haye on the other hand was simply running around trying 1 punch counter bombs and it was obvious he was just there to survive and take your money. He didnt try to win and thats just not respectable 1 bit for any fighter let alone haye who talked for 2 years about saving the HW division and knocking Vlad out.

[sunny31]

TS anyone who knows boxing and knows what the two fighters brought to the table and in the areas they are lacking knew that Haye's only chance was a slim punchers chance early where he needed to be aggressive, not let Wlad get into his usual gameplan he always imposes on opponents, put him on the defensive and land early with something hard to test that questionable chin also put doubts in Wlad's mind.

It could have been a way to go, but I am not sure if Haye has the mass to put Wlad on the back foot, like I mentioned earlier Wlad is much better now at blocking parrying and controlling distance, and Haye is a small heavyweight, he is not built like a natural heavy. Another way to put him in the back foot is work rate, but Haye does not have a high output, maybe he could have gone for it, but would gassing himself out after a few rounds have been smart?

[Hitman932]

This thread is hilarious, just the title alone makes me lol and wonder if it's nothing but a piss take.

Asking why people are critical of Haye's performance. Seriously folks.

It's like asking how people could be critical of Leon Spinks dental care.

[Hitman932]

but would gassing himself out after a few rounds have been smart?

No reasonable person would argue that what he did instead was smarter.