COULD THIS BE THE END - Dominance of the Klitschko in the HEAVYWEIGHT Division

[aquariusone]

If you are like me, you will be glued to HBO-E at 4:45 pm EST (1:45 pm - PST) tomorrow (Saturday) July 2.

Outside of the Pacquiao-Mayweather hoopla in boxing, this bout between Wladimir Klitschko and David Haye is touted as the biggest match-up in boxing in 2011. Several blogs about the outcome have cropped up during the last several days leading to the fight. The biggest question raised is this: Could the "Hayemaker" stop the dominance of the Ukrainian brothers?

Several schools of thoughts are covered:
1) David Haye is a glorified cruiser-weight with power and speed
2) Wladimir is much bigger (30 pounds heavier) with a big power punch
3) Haye's psychological battle is over the top
4) He has gotten under the skin of the brothers
5) Both have been KOed before; therefore have glass chins
6) Both have great followers in UK and Europe; some in North America
7) Haye plans to KO Wladimir within 5 rounds
8) Klitschko plans to "punish" Haye to the limit for his hype and bad conduct

But what about you? What about us? Who do you favor and why?

What is not covered much is the great fortunes these two are about to make - several million dollars each for being on stage for a maximum of 36 minutes. PPV sales in UK are apparently expected to topple records. David Haye's outrageous tactics (love me or hate me) have definitely reached his objective - make this fight as lucrative as possible so that he can retire.

Are these two "for real" in their public appearances or are they playing out their role to raise their "entertainment values" - hence, load their pockets?

Is Max Kellerman in on the ruse? Is this the height of marketing and advertising gimmick?

Heck, we saw it during the Muhammad Ali days. We see it on UFC between St. Pierre and Koschek; Carwin and Dos Santos. We all know WWA is choreographed but fans still show up and go crazy. (It is a mad, mad, world!)

One thing for sure, this type of hype requires great acting and I can tell you that DAVID HAYE beats Klitschko in that department hands down. And while Wladimir may "seem perturbed" by it all, he will benefit from Haye's shenanigans.

So on the serious side, will this spell the end of the brother's dominance in the heavyweight division?

My instinct tells me that just as so many were cheering Mike Tyson against Lennox Lewis, (many were shocked to see the vicious little man succumbed to a bigger man in the ring) many will just have to accept how boring the heavy weight division is until the brothers retire - largely unbeaten.

[rokko]

http://i53.tinypic.com/2z3vr03.jpghey aqua-i was just watching the weigh in and both guys look ready.i dont really care who wiins i just wanna see a good fight that goes some rounds and has action. ithink it could go either way but if i was betting my hard earned money-which im not-i would bet on klitscho-salud amigo-everybody enjoy the fight

[Gamer]

The klitschkos usually do there fighting in europe where they are well known and make alot of money with ppv.They are not televised on hbo due to they ask for to much money.Also the lack of opponents in heavyweight division does not make good tv.I would not pay to watch them fight.Haye may have a big mouth but lets see if he can back t up.Whos knows maybe there could be an upset.

[aquariusone]

The klitschkos usually do there fighting in europe where they are well known and make alot of money with ppv.They are not televised on hbo due to they ask for to much money.Also the lack of opponents in heavyweight division does not make good tv.I would not pay to watch them fight.Haye may have a big mouth but lets see if he can back t up.Whos knows maybe there could be an upset.

It is PPV in Europe but free here in NA... you can watch this on HBO...won't cost you a dime!

By tomorrow we will know the outcome. For now, I am taking bets...hehehe!
I say Klitschko in 6 - KO.

[Gamer]

It is PPV in Europe but free here in NA... you can watch this on HBO...won't cost you a dime!

By tomorrow we will know the outcome. For now, I am taking bets...hehehe!
I say Klitschko in 6 - KO.
I will be watching tomorrow.What I meant with hbo not televising where his past fights.Anyway I would like to see an upset.Lets see what happens.

[el chido]

Should be a Good Bout indeed!....I do too want to see an upset by Hayes, It's just been too long of a reign for The klitschkos, but It's just a naive wish from my part, my gut feeling tells me Klitschko will win by KO....

[aquariusone]

Haye is entertaining.....but so is Charles Manson! Hehehe! I just think that he has gone overboard with his outrageous antics...which I think were more to "attract non-boxing fans attention"!

For boxing purists, like most of you in this forum, we don't need "show and dance" to enjoy two great skillful boxers. I have great distaste for thrash talk and ridiculous hype. If a boxer wants to make his mark, I'd like to see him do it with his fists... not his mouth! We have too many of those that talk big and box as if they are doing an audition on America's Got Talent - they just dance and hug a lot in between an occasional light-hearted jab!

(Boy, I sure miss Arturo Gatti! and the great Roberto Duran or Marvin Hagler.)

[rudee]

You forgot George Chuvalo on yer list Aqua.... put boxing on the map for you guys!!! :)
The Ukranian wins BIG!!!
The old saying.....
A good big man will always beat a good little man.
Bob Foster was one of the best light heavyweights ever!!! tried for the heavyweight crown a couple times..
got knocked out both times!!!

[aquariusone]

ah...i was wondering when you are going to show up with your illustrious remarks, Rudee! of course, George Chuvalo is a Canadian...tough guy Cassius Clay tried to KO without success... went 15 rounds 40 years ago and another 12 rounds - both cases a unanimous decision to Clay... "toughest man I have ever fought" Cassius Clay said then!

Mike Tyson joins us with out prediction. Tyson said yesterday that Haye will go down in 3 rounds.

[Highwayman]

Klitschko tko by the 11th!
Hope it doesnt end to soon
whoever wins!

[aquariusone]

David haye is a bum!!!! His mouth is as big as a garbage truck; his fists? What fists?

[Highwayman]

I give a unanimous decision to the Ref!

[el chido]

Wow!!...I'm more amazed at the Promoters than Hayes!!.....What an entertainment Value European Promoters Give Out to The Fans!!...Now That's a Show and a Half, American Promoters Should indeed take a note on That!!...Now, The Bout Itself, What a Washout!...So Predictable, It wasn't even funny!!...I Think All The Drunk Football (Soccer) Hooligans that attended had more Guts & Will Power than Hayes!!....

[el chido]

Gordon Marino from The Wall Street Journal couldn't have said It Better!!

c/p The Wall Street Journal:


July 2 was a big and then again not so big night for Wladimir Klitschko. He won a unanimous decision over David Haye, taking Haye’s WBA crown. He and his brother Vitali have now realized their dream of sharing the heavyweight title. However, it was a less than impressive performance in which Klitschko seemed content to dominate the shorter man with his left jab.

There were fireworks before the contest but very few in the ring. As early as the third round, trainer Emanuel Steward passionately pressed Klitschko to open up with the heavy artillery, but he never did. He would land an occasional hard right but there was no follow up.

Now and then, the maddeningly over-cautious Haye leaped in with wide rights and lefts. Klitschko picked off the vast majority of these blows, but failed to make Haye pay for his wild misses. There was little counter-punching from Klitschko and not a single body shot. Though Klitschko did not increase his fan base with this dull performance, he did completely control the fight, which was his 11th successful title defense.

Vitali, the WBC champ, and Wladimir are very close. They work one another’s corner and have vowed never to fight one another. As a result, many moan that the heavyweight title, one of the biggest achievements in sports and certainly the lodestar of boxing, will remain divided and, as such, sap interest in the sport.

[aquariusone]

It is easy for us, spectators, to start second guessing. Indeed, Larry Merchant, Jim Lampley, and Roy Jones were being gracious and subtle in their criticism of David Haye. "Make change" were two words Larry picked out from somewhere prior to the fight and used this in his summation. "Change" is possible he said, "but Haye never 'made' it happen".

David Haye was a shadow of his previous self against the others he had fought. He ran all night and even faked going down to try to get the referee to penalize Wladimir for "pushing the little guy down" (which the referee did once after 3 warnings). Haye was given an 8 count for a knock down for his antic. Wladimir for his part kept pressing the fight from the opening bell and he was frustrated with Haye's "speed" in getting out of the way. "Style" they say "could make or break a fight". With Haye on a retreat all night, there was no way for Klitschko to "engage". It is foolish to suggest that he did not try because he was the aggressor all night. The slippery eel would not risk his glass chin and ran all night.

With his performance, he alienated his fans and perhaps made sure his plans to "retire after this" would be imminent. Haye has lost all credibility. I can't see anyone investing on him after that shameless display. He even invented an alibi by showing "his foot" alleging he injured his toe. What a gutless, crude, crass, and hopeless person. Klitschko was right. "He is a disgrace as a human being."

We may not like it as pure boxing fans - that there is nothing in the horizon to change the state of the heavyweight division but we can't blame the two brothers for dominating everyone - and no one anywhere in the world to challenge them. That is just the way it is.

[Gamer]

I feel sorry for those who shelled out the cash for this ppv in europe.It turned out haye was all mouth and no fight in him.Vladimir didnt do much either to impress.Vitali is more engaging and a risk taker and would have knocked him out silly.Boring fight as they usually are with the klitschkos.Jmo

[el chido]

I feel sorry for those who shelled out the cash for this ppv in europe.It turned out haye was all mouth and no fight in him.Vladimir didnt do much either to impress.Vitali is more engaging and a risk taker and would have knocked him out silly.Boring fight as they usually are with the klitschkos.Jmo

Agreed Fully Bro!!.... Vitali would have had more Fun Dissecting Hayes from Start and perhaps make This Bout more entertaining!....It was Good to See Lewis & Foreman at The Beginning and Insist That European boxing Fans are Having more value for Their Dollar when It Comes to Their Entertainment!!..

[Fibroso]

Well, no one mention the robot camera moving around in front of the HBO cameras. Seems to me like a lack of respect for the american people. Oh, that isn't news for them, they don't like gringos in that side of the world. Since only Europeans rule the heavyweights, we just have to keep quiet about it.

[aquariusone]

The German television and Sky Sports were broadcasting the fight on PPV. Hence, they controlled the entire affair. HBO, Lampley, Merchant, and Roy Jones were "supporting roles". The Europeans have the bragging rights and rightfully so until someone like Cain Velasquez or somebody is good enough to challenge the brothers in the division.

El Chido, amigo, you know your boxing! Both brothers are technically sound as boxers with impeccable skills and almost impenetrable defense BUT you are right. Vitali is more explosive and aggressive. He would have made loud-mouth Haye into a hamburger...with lots of mustard and pickles!

[rudee]

Both are bums.... Vladimir was lucky he caught Lewis at the end of his career.... only thing that makes him champion is his size and NO good heavyweights out there.
He was born at the right time.
Can you imagine what a young Tyson would have done to these two clowns? He woulda walked right through them.
Hayes reminded me of what Mosley did to the public... totally screwed them.. cept Mosley did it twice.
The bookies made out super!!! All money on Hayes. See where Hayes said he had a bad toe? musta thought this was soccer!

[aquariusone]

TSk, tsk, tsk! Boy, are you tough on the champs! But you also have a funny bone!

Lennox Lewis retired because he really did not want to face Vitali the second time. Lewis won when they first met because of a nasty cut on Vitali's left eyes but he felt Vitali's wrath before that and he (Lewis) knew the great risk of staying on. And as much as I thought Tyson was wildly entertaining as a boxer, his "street-boxing style" of throwing bombs indiscriminately would have been useless with a technically sound boxer - like Evander Holyfield, for example, or George Foreman.

Tyson by the way, recognized David Haye's folly, and was convinced there was no way Haye would win even if ... big if ... he tried to engage Wladimir.

Bad toe? must have been ingrown nail! He is the one who is a bum and he is worst than Ferdinand Marcos. At least Marcos stole "with grace". This guy robbed his fans and everyone in the world with his "hayemaker" prediction delivered with a big grin.

[rudee]

I agree on the Lewis retirement Aqua... but Lewis had ALREADY been in with the best! He was at the end of his boxing career... Vladimir did not have to face the boxers
Lewis fought in his prime. (look at lewis's record) If he did,, he woulda been long gone.. Evander in his prime woulda killed the Uke.. Bowe woulda murdered him.
Smoking Joe Frazier woulda had Hayes calling for his ma ma.... AND Vladimir woulda never touched smoking joe... he is your stand up euoropean fighter that
use to get knocked on their ass when we had great fighters here..
didn't you hear Steward begging Vladimir to throw punches???? noone hadda beg any of the true heavyweight champs aqua. (and by the way,,, as you saw, V still did
not throw anything) he was scared to death of being countered.
I think you give Vladimir way too much credit... he belongs in Joe Louis's Bum of the Month Club.
Big man, big punch... and noone around to hit him back. Again,,, born under the right stars. Hell,,, old Henry Cooper woulda knocked him on his ass.
(english fighter that put Cassius Clay down and the ref didnt start counting) Ali was behind but cut Henry up.
Aqua,,,, Tyson fought the best there was,,, knocked em all out... he is in the Hall of Fame.. It was NOT "street boxing" you need to get on Youtube and watch some of his
early bouts... Cus D Amato did not teach street boxing.... he trained Floyd Patterson too. Tyson fought Evander late in his career... as for Foreman,,, he was another
Vladimir... one punch wonder.... and just plain BIG. jab and punch... that was him.. look what Ali did to him. Had no stamina at all.
You surprise me with your opinions Aqua... timetable a little off.
I must say this... Evander was super in his prime... noone EVER had to tell him to start punching. Hall of Famer fer shur.

[aquariusone]

Not talking about George Foreman's second coming...but during his prime. (He, too, is a Hall of Famer.)

Sure, Steward was urging the big guy to punch but he did that all night and could not catch the fleet-footed Haye who ducked and dodged all night. Go ahead and throw punches in the air that do not hit any target. They sap your energy and stamina. As much as many may dislike the two brother's dominance in the last 10 years, nobody has come up in the heavyweight division to fight them - it is empty. Who has contended in the last 10 years. Can you name anyone of any calibre the two brother's have avoided?

And nobody would win an argument about them being KOed by or winning against the best past champs before, amigo. It is all conjecture!

But this is all in fun...and we may differ in our perspective...but I'd still buy you balut or pizza and beer.

[rudee]

Totally agree with you Aqua... i really miss the days when the old heavyweight champs would fight anyone, anyplace and earn their money.
Who can forget the Ken Norton vs Ali fight? what a classic that was eh? toe to toe the whole fight.
I do agree the Uke's have fought everyone on the list. No doubt about that.... Just not much on the list. Not thier fault.
Hey,,, Chris Arreola says he will go again! ha ha ha!!!
Ok,,, enough about these 2 that disappointed the whole world...
Wimbleton was much better anyway...
Of course we just trading opinions amigo... thats what makes this forum so interesting... and you do know yer stuff Aqua..
Enjoy yer insights.
We got some good fights coming up... starting this coming saturday.
Looking forward to it.