Is Haye really a 'proper' heavyweight?

[Sparked_26]

In the age of the Super-heavyweight he can't be can he? He's smashed all the guys in and around his own size but the Valuev fight is the most telling.

He's didn't want to be involved in clinches with Valuev leaning all over him and sapping his strength and testing his stamina that many believe is a bit suspect. Valuev possibly could have pinched a win based on doing nothing much apart from trundling forward only throwing jabs and giving Haye nothing to counter by showing ZERO ambition to actually do put it on Haye.

Would Haye really chin Tyson Fury early doors for example? If the Big Man came in with a sensible Valuev-esque dull-as-dishwater game plan? I know a lot of people don't rate Fury but I wouldn't beat on it.

I'd much rather see Haye in barn-burners with men around his size like tonight.

[Daddy T]

haye beat valuev - end thread

[Joeyzagz]

That was his 2nd Heavyweight fight you dip****.

Wlad and Vitali ducked Valuev outright.

[Sparked_26]

haye beat valuev - end thread

Not really. The point being Valuev is BASIC.

[dan_cov]

That was his 2nd Heavyweight fight you dip****.

Wlad and Vitali ducked Valuev outright.

Could of sworn it was Valuev flat out ducking Vitali and even refused to come out of retirement though offered a ridiculous pay day.

[Sparked_26]

That was his 2nd Heavyweight fight you dip****.

Wlad and Vitali ducked Valuev outright.

So if he fought him again he'd be in seek and destroy mode?

[gingeralbino]

yes he's a real HW.

Haye's problem in dealing with big men isnt his size, its his stamina and mentality. He just doesnt want to take the risks that are required against the super sized guys. And he seems to run out of puff pretty quickly so he doesnt want to get weighed down by them in close.

Haye is not a small HW. He's just not huge. Holyfield and Tyson are modern examples of guys who arent massive yet would be much more willing and capable of dealing with the super HWs. More stamina, and a different mental make up.

[Weebler I]

yes he's a real HW.

Haye's problem in dealing with big men isnt his size, its his stamina and mentality. He just doesnt want to take the risks that are required against the super sized guys. And he seems to run out of puff pretty quickly so he doesnt want to get weighed down by them in close.

Haye is not a small HW. He's just not huge. Holyfield and Tyson are modern examples of guys who arent massive yet would be much more willing and capable of dealing with the super HWs. More stamina, and a different mental make up.

Agree with all that.

The reason for his lack of risk-taking is he really, really doesn't like getting hit (at HW anyway). He reacts badly.

[Joe2608]

His stamina is really quite average at Heavyweight, though his stamina has always been his downfall even at Cruiserweight. But still, with that power, speed and movement he's a risk for anyone in the division. I'd say he's a proper Heavyweight, the problem is that Wlad and Vitali are all exceptionally big Heavyweights.

[Sparked_26]

Yeah I think the Holyfield comparison is a fair one! Him being the well-conditioned little guy who could get the job done against bigger men.

And the stamina question has been around since his crusier days.