Soulrise
10th March 2008, 09:13 AM
Bad Left Hook is probably my favorite boxing blog. The main writer's got a good post analyzing Haye's chances at heavyweight success overall as well as some pretty good suggestions for who his next opponent should be:
http://www.badlefthook.com/story/2008/3/9/85814/89102
Plus, he's not going to step into a fight with Wladimir Klitschko right off, or Samuel Peter, or even Ruslan Chagaev. His name is still unknown in the United States, as well. At 21-1 and with dangerous power, Haye might find it tough to come by quality opponents. So where could he start? How about another fiver list?
1. Calvin Brock -- Brock badly needs a significant win, something he hasn't been able to find since...I don't know, does Brock really have a truly significant win? Timor Ibragimov is a full peg below the likes of the true heavyweight contenders, Jameel McCline is the same, and so are Brock's other best wins. When in against top fighters -- Klitschko and Chambers -- Brock has lost, even though he didn't really fight poorly either time. Actually, Brock-Haye makes a lot of sense for both guys.
2. Eddie Chambers -- Our own Matt Miller thinks that Eddie Chambers would be a good test opponent for Haye at heavyweight, and I do agree. Chambers would be sort of a transition-type opponent, as he's really a cruiserweight that eats himself into heavyweight territory. He's a super boxer, probably has the fastest hands in the division, and can hold his own against just about anybody. That said, Chambers is heavily flawed. Landing a few combos and standing still to admire them would get him killed against Haye, who may be a harder puncher than Alexander Povetkin even if there's a 30-pound difference between the two.
3. David Tua -- Showtime is ready to back Tua if the former contender is truly ready to make one more push at a heavyweight title, and it's easy to understand why. One savage left hook from Tua, and anyone in the division could be looking up at the lights. Given that Haye now has some association with the network, can you imagine a Tua-Haye fight? Hey, you want action? Sign that one.
4. Cristobal Arreola -- Arreola is a favorite of many, and I like watching him fight, but I have serious reservations. He's 23-0 with 21 knockouts. He's also 27 years old. Stop fighting Cliff Couser types. Prove something.
5. James Toney -- There are several other guys you could consider for this spot, but I have the feeling that Haye and presumably Showtime will want an American, and that they would prefer a somewhat notable one at least. The 39-year old Toney is again on the comeback trail following his PED suspension, and while he's lost a lot of his skills, a lot of his fans, and a lot of his respect, he still has a name. Haye would probably retire Toney -- and that'd be a good way for Haye to start his heavyweight run.
http://www.badlefthook.com/story/2008/3/9/85814/89102
Plus, he's not going to step into a fight with Wladimir Klitschko right off, or Samuel Peter, or even Ruslan Chagaev. His name is still unknown in the United States, as well. At 21-1 and with dangerous power, Haye might find it tough to come by quality opponents. So where could he start? How about another fiver list?
1. Calvin Brock -- Brock badly needs a significant win, something he hasn't been able to find since...I don't know, does Brock really have a truly significant win? Timor Ibragimov is a full peg below the likes of the true heavyweight contenders, Jameel McCline is the same, and so are Brock's other best wins. When in against top fighters -- Klitschko and Chambers -- Brock has lost, even though he didn't really fight poorly either time. Actually, Brock-Haye makes a lot of sense for both guys.
2. Eddie Chambers -- Our own Matt Miller thinks that Eddie Chambers would be a good test opponent for Haye at heavyweight, and I do agree. Chambers would be sort of a transition-type opponent, as he's really a cruiserweight that eats himself into heavyweight territory. He's a super boxer, probably has the fastest hands in the division, and can hold his own against just about anybody. That said, Chambers is heavily flawed. Landing a few combos and standing still to admire them would get him killed against Haye, who may be a harder puncher than Alexander Povetkin even if there's a 30-pound difference between the two.
3. David Tua -- Showtime is ready to back Tua if the former contender is truly ready to make one more push at a heavyweight title, and it's easy to understand why. One savage left hook from Tua, and anyone in the division could be looking up at the lights. Given that Haye now has some association with the network, can you imagine a Tua-Haye fight? Hey, you want action? Sign that one.
4. Cristobal Arreola -- Arreola is a favorite of many, and I like watching him fight, but I have serious reservations. He's 23-0 with 21 knockouts. He's also 27 years old. Stop fighting Cliff Couser types. Prove something.
5. James Toney -- There are several other guys you could consider for this spot, but I have the feeling that Haye and presumably Showtime will want an American, and that they would prefer a somewhat notable one at least. The 39-year old Toney is again on the comeback trail following his PED suspension, and while he's lost a lot of his skills, a lot of his fans, and a lot of his respect, he still has a name. Haye would probably retire Toney -- and that'd be a good way for Haye to start his heavyweight run.