Boxing Betting / The Betfair Contrarian / 13 June 2011 / 3

Four reasons to fancy a win for the Hayemaker in his July 2 tussle with Wladimir Klitschko

All too frequently, boxing's contribution to the noble art of sporting mind games descends into little more than boasting at volume. Yet while David Haye is not shy of such displays of attention-grabbing self-confidence, the Contrarian still finds much to admire about him. In fact, he shares Haye's belief that he will triumph in his WBO, IBF and WBA heavyweight title unification bout with sworn enemy Wladimir Klitschko in Hamburg on July 2. Here's why the underdog Hayemaker has to be backed at [2.68]...

This is a career-defining moment for Haye
Haye has targeted Klitschko ever since stepping up to the heavyweight division and views this as his chance to prove that he is the best in the world, making it the most important bout of his career. Klitschko's motivation can't compare to that, and his primary reason for taking the fight appears to be because of Haye's tireless work getting under his skin, including once wearing a shirt depicting him hoisting aloft the severed heads of Wladimir and his brother Vitali. Haye made sacrifices when it came to agreeing terms, handing his opponent what is virtually home advantage and the honour of entering the ring last, and wouldn't have done so if he didn't believe he could justify the hype.

Haye's record is more convincing
Klitschko has six years - and 32 fights - more experience than Haye, although looking at both men's overall in-ring records, you wouldn't consider the Ukrainian to hold any kind of advantage. Haye has been beaten just once in his career, by Carl Thompson seven years ago in his cruiserweight days, whereas his opponent has not only lost three times but been knocked out on each occasion. Some experts believe that Haye won't become the fourth to defeat him by that method, yet even if that proves the case, he is easily capable of lasting 12 rounds if required. Klitschko has been taken to the limit in two of his last six outings, which is as often as Haye has been in his entire 26-bout career.

Haye's trainer will formulate a good game plan
With so much at stake, a tactical battle is to be expected and there are few better at devising a good strategy than Haye's trainer Adam Booth, who helped the British boxer overcome an even greater height disadvantage in his WBA World heavyweight title-winning collision with Nikolay Valuev two years ago. He even more memorably provided an effective game plan for the WBC Cruiserweight title scrap with Jean Marc Mormack in 2007, ensuring that his man triumphed despite a composure-threatening fourth-round flooring. Booth's ability to engineer an upset was in evidence again in May as he guided George Groves to a shock win over previously undefeated Olympic gold medallist James DeGale.

Haye can exploit Klitschko's weaknesses
Haye is unimpressed by Klitschko's 49 knockout victories, accusing him of picking boxers that suit his style, pointing to his "little, fat American modus operandi". The Brit definitely isn't an ideal opponent for Klitschko, because as he immodestly notes "Wladimir has a history of being knocked out by fast punchers, and I punch faster than every other heavyweight in the world". It's an arrogant outlook, but a tough one to fault, given his unrivalled hand speed and explosive power. Klitschko has been floored ten times before, recovering in several of those instances, though he'd struggle to bounce back from such a blow against as devastating a finisher as Haye. Critics discuss his questionable chin, yet there even more proof from past fights that Klitschko's is incapable of taking much punishment.

Recommended Bet
Back David Haye @ [2.68]

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(3)

1. Paul | 13 June 2011

   I hope you believe in what you have written otherwise it's just mean to make people read such BS and even worse to make them bet on a zero-probability event.

2. pete | 14 June 2011

   This article is very thin on facts.Haye has a more convincing record? Its common knowledge that hes fought no one at heavyweight,all of his opponents have been 37plus.He was knocked down at the lower weight and the fact that hes less expierienced at going 12 rounds is against him.As for the corners,are you really comparing Adam Booth to Emanuel Steward?

3. pauli | 15 June 2011

   how nice to think Haye will punish Klitshko!!!i am really sorry that Haye has won his media battle unnfortunately he will convincingly lose the real fight,he is so talkative and i wonder if he will be able to talk after his face is battered on 2 july,lets wait and see but i honestly see another obvious win for the giant

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