By Geoffrey Ciani, Eastside Boxing
This week’s edition of On the Ropes Boxing Radio featured exclusive interviews with reigning IBF/WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko, Hall of Fame boxer Carmen Basilio, and reigning WBC welterweight champion Andre Berto. Highlighting this week’s episode was the exclusive interview with Wladimir Klitschko, who recently stopped American contender “Fast” Eddie Chambers by twelfth round knockout. Here are some excerpts from that interview:
On his performance against “Fast” Eddie Chambers:
“I feel great about my last performance and there was another title defense and Eddie Chambers is actually much better than people think. He was a great contender, he was very fast. His nickname is “Fast Eddie” and he was really fast. I should say that eventually I did make the final shot that was very important to win this fight by KO. I think that Eddie Chambers was really just trying to survive actually in the late rounds and as we in the heavyweight division say, ‘You have to pay attention every second of the fight because only one punch can make the final decision and the fight’s going to be over very fast’ so that was exactly what happened in the fight with Eddie and I hope he’s doing well. I think that he’s probably going to beat any other contender in the division because of his amazing boxing skills.”
On Emanuel Steward urging him to go for the knockout in the later rounds of the Chambers fight:
“We saw also one week before my fight with Pacquiao, he was running after a guy for twelve rounds and he couldn’t really finish him because if a person doesn’t want to get knocked out, you can chase him forever. In the last two rounds, actually the last three rounds—the 10th, 11th, and 12th rounds—I was really trying to catch Eddie and I couldn’t. When Emanuel was in the corner raising his voice and saying, ‘Come on! Do it!’, I was actually arguing with him. I said, ‘Dude, I will try! You know, just relax. Don’t push me too much, relax. I know what I’m doing. I’m trying.’ In the last two rounds, the 11th and 12th, I was really chasing Eddie and eventually stopped him in the 12th..”
His views on trainer Emanuel Steward:
“I also recently talked to Emanuel, and I said, ‘Emanuel, something is amazing about your professional courier. You took Lennox Lewis, as an example, at his worst and you brought him to his best. The same thing is kind of happening with me. We started to work when I lost, and then we actually got the titles and got the Ring Magazine championship getting back the respect from my opponents that I lost in ’04.’ It is amazing to see what Emanuel is able to do and what a coach he is. I think he is a genius in the ring. He is a genius in the ring, and I definitely enjoy to work with him because it’s great work. It’s not just the relationship between an athlete and a coach like between a dog and the owner of a dog. You’re just getting commands and you do what your coach is telling you to do. That’s going to not work with me and Emanuel, so we’re creative. We respect the experiences that each of us has inside and outside of the ring and it’s just such enjoyable work.”
Regarding his next fight:
“Hopefully David Haye is going to be my next opponent. We’re working on this right now. In boxing there’s a lot of things in negotiations with the promoters and to find a site to get the deal first, so hopefully we’ll get David Haye as another unification fight. That’s the only the title, the WBA title that David Haye has, the Klitschko brothers don’t have. So we have all of the titles but the WBA. So I’m looking forward to getting David Haye in the ring and fight him, and I wish and I hope that this year it is going to happen.”
His views on David Haye as a fighter:
“David Haye says a lot about the Klitschkos being boring. Have you seen his fight with Nicolay Valuev? It was twelve rounds, it was decision win, but he was scared to death and I don’t understand why you can be scared to death from Nicolay Valuev. It’s actually absurd for saying it, but this man is a giant. I mean, he’s huge and in certain ways a freak show, and he’s as slow as an elephant. David Haye was just dancing around and trying not to be hit and winning the fight on points.”
Regarding Haye’s victory over John Ruiz:
“So with John Ruiz, I have to give respect to John Ruiz because it was like another title shot, and he had really a lot of title shots, but it was his ninth loss—let’s face it. But David Haye did well, he won the fight. I am very thankful to David that he won the fight because I would be very upset if he had lost the fight, and now we can talk about our fight. He bitched out twice from me and from my brother Vitali, and I think he owes it to the fans to get in the ring with one of the Klitschko brothers and fight—and not just speak and show the cartoons with decapitated bodies and blood and whatever else he presents himself as a clown. I think he owes it to the fans that he has to fight one of the Klitschko brothers. Not to talk, let’s make it and not bitch out again.”
His views on the upcoming mega fight between Shane Mosley and Floyd Mayweather:
“Well, to be honest with you I would love to see Floyd Mayweather against Manny Pacquiao. I would love to see that fight. I know I’m not really answering your question, but I think that fight would be really exciting. That’s what I’m looking forward to. Who’s going to win in this fight between Mayweather and Mosley? I think, yeah, well…each of them could lose or could win. Am I really excited about this fight? It could be a good fight, but Pacquiao-Mayweather could be a better fight.”
***
Andre Berto
We also had the chance to speak with Andre Berto fresh off his title defense against Carlos Quintana. Here are some excerpts from what Berto had to say:
Regarding his eighth round stoppage over Carlos Quintana:
“I feel I was alright. I was a little rusty. I had to get in a groove a little bit and actually I injured my arm in like the second round. In the second round I injured my arm so I was pretty much fighting with one arm. My overall performance was just okay.”
On whether he was surprised he was able to knock Quintana out:
“No, because I thought I had the power to do it. He’s a crafty guy, like a lot of people seem to forget, he’s a crafty southpaw and those are always the worst ones to fight. He also has a win over Paul Williams, so I knew he was going to be crafty but I knew if I was able to land a few solid punches on him that he was going to notice it and I was going to be able to slow him down.”
On the decision to pull out of his January fight with Sugar Shane Mosley:
“You know, it was a tough situation with the decision that I made. I mean it was for a good reason. I lost a few family members in the earthquake.”
Regarding how he thinks he would have done against Sugar Shane Mosley:
“Oh, I think I would have done good. I mean, you had seen the other night it wasn’t my best performance, because like I said, I was a little rusty, but my speed and my power and me just imposing that type of pace early on in the ring. I was just going to get stronger as the rounds continue to go and I it probably would have caused a little problem for Shane—to have somebody in there just as fast as he is, just as strong as he is, but young and to continue bringing that pace. I think the fight was going to be a little difficult for him.”
His views on the upcoming May 1 clash between Shane Mosley and Floyd Mayweather:
“Realistically, I think Floyd is going to outpoint him. I see that at the beginning of the fight, Shane Mosley is going to be there and he’s going to impose his will, he’s going to impose his strength and the speed, but I think after a couple of rounds Floyd will pretty much figure him out once Shane slows down a little. That’s when Floyd is really going to get into his rhythm and start picking him apart a little bit and just do what he does and come out with the victory.”
Regarding who he would prefer to fight, Mosley or Mayweather:
“Oh man, it doesn’t matter, either one of them. I mean Floyd Mayweather, Shane Mosley, or (Manny) Pacquiao, you know it would just be an honor to be in the ring with those guys. These guys are future Hall of Famers. I grew up at the gym watching these guys and mimicking a lot of these guys, so I’d be honored just to be in the same ring with them so it doesn’t matter at all.”
On how he believes he would match-up with Manny Pacquiao:
“I believe it would be a very entertaining fight because, unlike with Joshua Clottey and a lot of people, I would definitely let my hands go. It’s definitely going to be an entertaining fight. I mean have the hand speed, I have the power, and as the action gets turned up I get turned up. I think that’s the thing with Manny Pacquiao that a lot of people really just don’t understand. Manny Pacquiao has a lot of energy, he has really great legs, but then again, you have to fight fire with fire. He lacks defense. He’s easy to hit, but he sets a pace that’s a little too much for his opponents and he’s incredibly strong, also, so he always tend to outwork and outpunch his opponents, but if I get in the position I know it will be an entertaining fight because I know I’ll be able to touch him whenever I wanted to touch him and get in there with some power and I think it will be able to stop a lot of that jumping around and stuff. It would be an entertaining fight.”
***
To read the entire transcript of the Carmen Basilio interview please CLICK HERE
If you missed last week’s special edition of On the Ropes, be sure to tune in and listen now!
***
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***
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Source: eastsideboxing.com
Tampilkan postingan dengan label Nikolai Valuev. Tampilkan semua postingan
Tampilkan postingan dengan label Nikolai Valuev. Tampilkan semua postingan
Jumat, 16 April 2010
Selasa, 13 April 2010
Odlanier Solis-Nikolay Valuev Talks Begin -- FanHouse
By Lem Satterfield, FanHouse
The promoters of Cuban-born, former Olympic gold medalist, Odlanier Solis (pictured at left, throwing punch), and former WBA heavyweight champion, Nikolay Valuev, of Russia, are in talks to set up an eliminator bout that has been ordered by the WBC.
The winner would be the mandatory challenger for WBC champion, Vitali Klitschko (39-2, 37 knockouts), of the Ukraine.
"This is a great honor for Odlanier and [Arena Promotions]. To become the [WBC's] no. 1 contender with only 16 pro fights means something," said Ahmet Öner, Solis' promoter with Arena Promotions. "Odlanier has been an amateur standout and also proved his extraordinary qualities since turning pro in 2007."
Long range goals for Solis are either Vitali Klitschko or his brother, Wladimir, who owns the WBO, IBF and IBO crowns.
"I am convinced that he is the only serious threat to the Klitschko brothers today," said Ohner, "and I hope that he will get the chance to prove me right very soon."
The 29-year-old Solis is coming off of last month's third-round knockout over Costa Rica's 35-year-old Carl Davis Drummond (26-3, 20 KOs), earning his 12th knockout, and, his sixth consecutive stoppage to improve to 16-0.
A two-time titlist, the 36-year-old Valuev (50-2, 34 knockouts) is coming off of November's 12-round, unanimous decision loss to England's David Haye (24-1, 22 KOs), who dethroned him as champion.
Ohner and Top Rank's CEO, Bob Arum, who handle Solis, and Don King and Sauerland Promotions, who deal with Valuev, have until April 30 to make the fight and avoid a purse bid.
"I talked to King. King called me about that fight with Solis and Valuev, and I told him that we're ready to make the deal," said Arum. "And he has a partner, Sauerland Promotions, and, hopefully, we'll be able to get something done this week if Valuev is going to go ahead go into this eliminator."
The eliminator is desired by Solis' manager, Tony Gonzalez.
"A box-offf between Solis and Valuev, that's probably the route we'll wind up taking. That's really Ahmet and Bob's job to do," said Gonzalez. "They've got to pretty much square away whatever deal they can put together, and then, if not, then it goes to purse bids. At that point, we know the routine. So, whoever wins the purse bid is the one who takes the fight."
Valuev-Solis would be a match up of two, massive fighters, with Valuev having been the largest heavyweight champion in the sport's history.
The seven-foot Valuev weighed 316 pounds for his last bout, with the nearly 6-foot-2 Solis tipping the scales at 269.
"I am sure that this fight will be an epic battle. The whole world will watch when those two tanks collide in the ring," said Oner. "Solis is bringing the excitement back to the heavyweight division. He will end the Klitschko's reign and on the way there, hopefully, become the first man to knock out the Russian giant."
Whether the fight would take place in America or Germany remains to be seen.
"The Klitschkos have a lot of name both in Europe and over here," said Gonzalez, "But if the American television, HBO, or Showtime hasn't shown too much interest in the Klitschkos, why would they show more interest in a Valuev-Solis fight than the would a Wladimir Klitschko-Eddie Chambers?"
Gonzalez was referring to the fact that Klitschko's recent 12th-round stoppage of Chambers was not televised in America, even as it was a big hit in Europe, and, particularly, the sold out, ESPRIT Arena, in Düsseldorf, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany where the fight took place.
Valuev and Solis have some loyalty in Germany as well, the latter, having fought many of his early bouts there.
"Valuev and Solis have built followings in Germany," said Gonzalez. "So all logic and reasoning lean toward the fight being in Germany, but crazier things have happened in our sport."
Source: boxing.fanhouse.com
The promoters of Cuban-born, former Olympic gold medalist, Odlanier Solis (pictured at left, throwing punch), and former WBA heavyweight champion, Nikolay Valuev, of Russia, are in talks to set up an eliminator bout that has been ordered by the WBC.
The winner would be the mandatory challenger for WBC champion, Vitali Klitschko (39-2, 37 knockouts), of the Ukraine.
"This is a great honor for Odlanier and [Arena Promotions]. To become the [WBC's] no. 1 contender with only 16 pro fights means something," said Ahmet Öner, Solis' promoter with Arena Promotions. "Odlanier has been an amateur standout and also proved his extraordinary qualities since turning pro in 2007."
Long range goals for Solis are either Vitali Klitschko or his brother, Wladimir, who owns the WBO, IBF and IBO crowns.
"I am convinced that he is the only serious threat to the Klitschko brothers today," said Ohner, "and I hope that he will get the chance to prove me right very soon."
The 29-year-old Solis is coming off of last month's third-round knockout over Costa Rica's 35-year-old Carl Davis Drummond (26-3, 20 KOs), earning his 12th knockout, and, his sixth consecutive stoppage to improve to 16-0.
A two-time titlist, the 36-year-old Valuev (50-2, 34 knockouts) is coming off of November's 12-round, unanimous decision loss to England's David Haye (24-1, 22 KOs), who dethroned him as champion.
Ohner and Top Rank's CEO, Bob Arum, who handle Solis, and Don King and Sauerland Promotions, who deal with Valuev, have until April 30 to make the fight and avoid a purse bid.
"I talked to King. King called me about that fight with Solis and Valuev, and I told him that we're ready to make the deal," said Arum. "And he has a partner, Sauerland Promotions, and, hopefully, we'll be able to get something done this week if Valuev is going to go ahead go into this eliminator."
The eliminator is desired by Solis' manager, Tony Gonzalez.
"A box-offf between Solis and Valuev, that's probably the route we'll wind up taking. That's really Ahmet and Bob's job to do," said Gonzalez. "They've got to pretty much square away whatever deal they can put together, and then, if not, then it goes to purse bids. At that point, we know the routine. So, whoever wins the purse bid is the one who takes the fight."
Valuev-Solis would be a match up of two, massive fighters, with Valuev having been the largest heavyweight champion in the sport's history.
The seven-foot Valuev weighed 316 pounds for his last bout, with the nearly 6-foot-2 Solis tipping the scales at 269.
"I am sure that this fight will be an epic battle. The whole world will watch when those two tanks collide in the ring," said Oner. "Solis is bringing the excitement back to the heavyweight division. He will end the Klitschko's reign and on the way there, hopefully, become the first man to knock out the Russian giant."
Whether the fight would take place in America or Germany remains to be seen.
"The Klitschkos have a lot of name both in Europe and over here," said Gonzalez, "But if the American television, HBO, or Showtime hasn't shown too much interest in the Klitschkos, why would they show more interest in a Valuev-Solis fight than the would a Wladimir Klitschko-Eddie Chambers?"
Gonzalez was referring to the fact that Klitschko's recent 12th-round stoppage of Chambers was not televised in America, even as it was a big hit in Europe, and, particularly, the sold out, ESPRIT Arena, in Düsseldorf, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany where the fight took place.
Valuev and Solis have some loyalty in Germany as well, the latter, having fought many of his early bouts there.
"Valuev and Solis have built followings in Germany," said Gonzalez. "So all logic and reasoning lean toward the fight being in Germany, but crazier things have happened in our sport."
Source: boxing.fanhouse.com
Senin, 12 April 2010
YOU'RE A BOTTLER -- Mirror
By Nick Parkinson, Mirror.co.uk
BOXING CHALLENGE
Wladimir Klitschko has accused David Haye of running scared and told him to get it on in the ring.
Haye, 29, had to pull out of fighting Wladimir last June at short notice due to a back injury and then opted to fight Russian Nikolai Valuev in November instead of Wladimir's brother and WBC champion, Vitali.
Both Klitschkos are furious at Haye for his trash talk and wearing a T-shirt to a press conference showing him holding their decapitated heads.
Now Wladimir has invited Haye's camp to open talks about the clash to take place either in Germany or England and which would be the biggest world heavyweight title fight since Londonborn Lennox Lewis stopped Vitali on cuts in 2003.
He said: "I want to send this message to boxing fans and directly to David Haye.
"David, you've bitched out on fighting both Klitschko brothers twice already and now's the time to make it happen. On behalf of boxing fans around the world, I'm officially calling you out to fight me. You can't run away from me forever if you want to be respected. I'm ready. What're you waiting for?"
Wbo-IBF heavyweight champion Klitschko, 34, is due to make the next defence of his world titles against Russian Alexander Povetkin in September, but a deal has not yet been finalised. So Klitschko has switched his sights to WBA king Haye who is considering his next move after impressively stopping American John Ruiz earlier this month.
Haye is the most marketable fighter in the heavyweight division alongside the charismatic brothers, who have been treading water against poor opposition.
While Vitali faces London-based Pole Albert Sosnowski next month, Wladimir knocked out Eddie Chambers in March in the 12th round of a sterile contest.
Former European light-middleweight champion Jamie Moore has announced his retirement. The 31-year-old Salford favourite, who was on the verge of a WBC title shot last year, has called it quits on medical advice following two damaging defeats.
He lost his European crown to Sheffield's Ryan Rhodes last year before moving up to middleweight, only to lose his comeback bout against Sergey Khomitski on the David Haye undercard earlier this month.
He said: "It's time to move on in life and pack away my gloves and gumshield for good."
Source: mirror.co.uk
BOXING CHALLENGE
Wladimir Klitschko has accused David Haye of running scared and told him to get it on in the ring.
Haye, 29, had to pull out of fighting Wladimir last June at short notice due to a back injury and then opted to fight Russian Nikolai Valuev in November instead of Wladimir's brother and WBC champion, Vitali.
Both Klitschkos are furious at Haye for his trash talk and wearing a T-shirt to a press conference showing him holding their decapitated heads.
Now Wladimir has invited Haye's camp to open talks about the clash to take place either in Germany or England and which would be the biggest world heavyweight title fight since Londonborn Lennox Lewis stopped Vitali on cuts in 2003.
He said: "I want to send this message to boxing fans and directly to David Haye.
"David, you've bitched out on fighting both Klitschko brothers twice already and now's the time to make it happen. On behalf of boxing fans around the world, I'm officially calling you out to fight me. You can't run away from me forever if you want to be respected. I'm ready. What're you waiting for?"
Wbo-IBF heavyweight champion Klitschko, 34, is due to make the next defence of his world titles against Russian Alexander Povetkin in September, but a deal has not yet been finalised. So Klitschko has switched his sights to WBA king Haye who is considering his next move after impressively stopping American John Ruiz earlier this month.
Haye is the most marketable fighter in the heavyweight division alongside the charismatic brothers, who have been treading water against poor opposition.
While Vitali faces London-based Pole Albert Sosnowski next month, Wladimir knocked out Eddie Chambers in March in the 12th round of a sterile contest.
Former European light-middleweight champion Jamie Moore has announced his retirement. The 31-year-old Salford favourite, who was on the verge of a WBC title shot last year, has called it quits on medical advice following two damaging defeats.
He lost his European crown to Sheffield's Ryan Rhodes last year before moving up to middleweight, only to lose his comeback bout against Sergey Khomitski on the David Haye undercard earlier this month.
He said: "It's time to move on in life and pack away my gloves and gumshield for good."
Source: mirror.co.uk
Sabtu, 10 April 2010
WBC Orders Valuev vs Solis; Ray Austin To Sue WBC? -- Eastside Boxing
Eastside Boxing
ARENA’s Cuban heavyweight sensation Odlanier Solis advances to the no. 1 spot in the new WBC rankings. Originally „La Sombra“ was scheduled to fight Ray Austin in a final elimination bout but Austin declared to be unavailable due to legal problems. Therefore Solis took Austin’s spot in the rankings. „This is a great honour for Odlanier and ARENA“, stated promoter Ahmet Öner. „To become the no. 1 contender with only 16 pro-fights means something. Odlanier has been an amateur standout and also proved his extraorinary qualities since turning pro in 2007. I am convinced that he is the only serious threat to the Klitschko brothers today and I hope that he will get the chance to prove me right very soon..“
But before facing WBC champion Vitali Klitschko Solis will have to suceed in his biggest challenge so far. Instead of Austin the three-time world amateur champion and 2004 Olympic gold medallist has been ordered to fight the next highest rated contender Nikolay Valuev in a WBC final elimination bout. The 7-foot-giant has lost his WBA championship title against David Haye by mid-decision last November and has an impressive record of 50 wins in 53 pro-fights including 34 stoppages.
„I am sure that this fight will be an epic battle“, says Öner. „The whole world will watch when those two tanks collide in the ring. Solis is bringing the excitement back to the heavyweight division. He will end the Klitschko’s reign and on the way there hopefully become the first man to knock out the Russian giant.“
Ray Austin Ready To Take Legal Action
Heavyweight contender Ray Austin, rated number 1 by the WBC, is prepared to take legal action against the WBC if Jose Sulaiman follows through with his plans to cut Austin out of its next elimination bout. John Tripp, one of the bankruptcy attorneys involved with Austin issued the following statement:
Ray Austin is ready, willing and able to fight in the next elimination bout. The WBC decision to announce the title eliminator between Solis and Valuev merely because of Ray Austin filing bankruptcy and rejectiing his personal management and promotional agreement with Don King Productions is clearly a violation of Ray’s rights under Federal Bankruptcy Law and we intend to file a complaint in the United State Bankruptcy Court in the Northern District of Ohio against WBC for violating the provisions of the bankruptcy code. I have had some dealings in boxing and this type of abuse has been going on for too long. We previously advised the WBC, on multiple occasions, that Ray was available to box Solis or any other fighter designated by the WBC, but they decided to ignore Ray Austin’s right in his #1 position. Over the weekend we will be investigation possible racketeering, conspiracy, and RICO charges against the WBC and other parties. If Jose Sulaiman wants another debacle like Graciano Rocchigiainni, he is well on his way.
The WBC is not going to get away with ignoring its own rules yet again.
Source: eastsideboxing.com
ARENA’s Cuban heavyweight sensation Odlanier Solis advances to the no. 1 spot in the new WBC rankings. Originally „La Sombra“ was scheduled to fight Ray Austin in a final elimination bout but Austin declared to be unavailable due to legal problems. Therefore Solis took Austin’s spot in the rankings. „This is a great honour for Odlanier and ARENA“, stated promoter Ahmet Öner. „To become the no. 1 contender with only 16 pro-fights means something. Odlanier has been an amateur standout and also proved his extraorinary qualities since turning pro in 2007. I am convinced that he is the only serious threat to the Klitschko brothers today and I hope that he will get the chance to prove me right very soon..“
But before facing WBC champion Vitali Klitschko Solis will have to suceed in his biggest challenge so far. Instead of Austin the three-time world amateur champion and 2004 Olympic gold medallist has been ordered to fight the next highest rated contender Nikolay Valuev in a WBC final elimination bout. The 7-foot-giant has lost his WBA championship title against David Haye by mid-decision last November and has an impressive record of 50 wins in 53 pro-fights including 34 stoppages.
„I am sure that this fight will be an epic battle“, says Öner. „The whole world will watch when those two tanks collide in the ring. Solis is bringing the excitement back to the heavyweight division. He will end the Klitschko’s reign and on the way there hopefully become the first man to knock out the Russian giant.“
Ray Austin Ready To Take Legal Action
Heavyweight contender Ray Austin, rated number 1 by the WBC, is prepared to take legal action against the WBC if Jose Sulaiman follows through with his plans to cut Austin out of its next elimination bout. John Tripp, one of the bankruptcy attorneys involved with Austin issued the following statement:
Ray Austin is ready, willing and able to fight in the next elimination bout. The WBC decision to announce the title eliminator between Solis and Valuev merely because of Ray Austin filing bankruptcy and rejectiing his personal management and promotional agreement with Don King Productions is clearly a violation of Ray’s rights under Federal Bankruptcy Law and we intend to file a complaint in the United State Bankruptcy Court in the Northern District of Ohio against WBC for violating the provisions of the bankruptcy code. I have had some dealings in boxing and this type of abuse has been going on for too long. We previously advised the WBC, on multiple occasions, that Ray was available to box Solis or any other fighter designated by the WBC, but they decided to ignore Ray Austin’s right in his #1 position. Over the weekend we will be investigation possible racketeering, conspiracy, and RICO charges against the WBC and other parties. If Jose Sulaiman wants another debacle like Graciano Rocchigiainni, he is well on his way.
The WBC is not going to get away with ignoring its own rules yet again.
Source: eastsideboxing.com
Kamis, 08 April 2010
Haye plans four more fights -- Sky Sports
Sky Sports
The British heavyweight was in the Sky Sports News studios to look back on his stunning defence of his WBA world title against John Ruiz.
However, in between eating chips and chocolate for the first time in three months, the 29-year-old is already looking ahead to possible bouts against either Vitaly or Wladimir Klitschko.
Ideal world
"We're just relaxing at the moment but in the next couple of weeks Adam (Booth, Haye's trainer and manager) and I will sit down and really start breaking down what is the best manoeuvre out there," he told Sky Sports News.
"The best one for me, in an ideal world, would be either of the Klitschko brothers. Whichever one is available.
"I know Wladimir has a very effective jab and a good work-rate. But he's very gun-shy - he doesn't like to commit himself. He's shown in many fights when things get hard he finds a way to lose the fight.
"The same thing applies with Vitaly. When things get tough he pulls out with injuries during a fight. I will find a way to make them boys quit.
"They are a league above John Ruiz, and that's not being disrespectful to him (Ruiz). They don't have styles where they take a lot of shots and they are very calculated.
"I believe they are a step above (what I've faced), but I will raise my game to whoever I'm fighting."
He added: "I want to fight (the Klitschkos) and I know they both want to fight. Nobody is running from anybody, it's just all about getting it down on paper and making it happen."
With his intention to hang up his gloves in two years, a decision he made back when he was just 10, Haye intends to keep himself busy.
While he is hopeful of facing both Klitschkos before quitting, the Londoner insists he does not have to fight the Ukrainian siblings to secure his "legacy".
"I'm going to squeeze four fights in, at least two of them against the Klitschko brothers," Haye announced.
"I said when I was 10 years old that I would retire when I was 30-31. I've achieved my goals that I set out to do as a kid; it's now about that extra legacy.
"To unify the titles against Wladimir or Vitaly would be absolutely huge for my legacy. If it doesn't happen in two years, then it doesn't happen. However I will find someone to secure my legacy with.
"I could keep going on for another seven years. I eat healthy, so I could probably go on longer than that if I wanted to.
"But I've seen good friends and fighters where their speech has deteriorated over the years. I'd hate to fall in that category when I'm 38 or 39, where you lose you faculties.
"I'm healthy at the moment and I want to make sure I achieve all my goals and then get out of it (the sport of boxing) the same way I got into it."
Valuev rematch
If a bout with either Wladimir or Vitaly does not come off in the near future, another possible option for Haye could be a rematch with Nikolay Valuev - the man he beat to be crowned world champion.
"It's a possibility," the former cruiserweight admitted. "If the Vitaly and Wladimir fights don't materialise then there is an option where that could potentially happen."
Asked if he'd like to face Valuev again, he replied: "In an ideal world no, because I've already beaten him.
"But if it has to happen, then it has to happen. I believe if I fought him again I'd knock him out this time around. I know I can hurt him and I'd make sure I got to him earlier (than in their first fight)."
Source: skysports.com
David Haye has reaffirmed his intention to retire from boxing at the age of 31 - even if he hasn't faced either of the Klitschko brothers 
by then.
by then. The British heavyweight was in the Sky Sports News studios to look back on his stunning defence of his WBA world title against John Ruiz.
Having become just the second man to stop the experienced American at the MEN Arena on Saturday, Haye is now enjoying a well-earned break.
However, in between eating chips and chocolate for the first time in three months, the 29-year-old is already looking ahead to possible bouts against either Vitaly or Wladimir Klitschko.
Ideal world
"We're just relaxing at the moment but in the next couple of weeks Adam (Booth, Haye's trainer and manager) and I will sit down and really start breaking down what is the best manoeuvre out there," he told Sky Sports News.
"The best one for me, in an ideal world, would be either of the Klitschko brothers. Whichever one is available.
"I know Wladimir has a very effective jab and a good work-rate. But he's very gun-shy - he doesn't like to commit himself. He's shown in many fights when things get hard he finds a way to lose the fight.
"The same thing applies with Vitaly. When things get tough he pulls out with injuries during a fight. I will find a way to make them boys quit.
"They are a league above John Ruiz, and that's not being disrespectful to him (Ruiz). They don't have styles where they take a lot of shots and they are very calculated.
"I believe they are a step above (what I've faced), but I will raise my game to whoever I'm fighting."
He added: "I want to fight (the Klitschkos) and I know they both want to fight. Nobody is running from anybody, it's just all about getting it down on paper and making it happen."
With his intention to hang up his gloves in two years, a decision he made back when he was just 10, Haye intends to keep himself busy.
While he is hopeful of facing both Klitschkos before quitting, the Londoner insists he does not have to fight the Ukrainian siblings to secure his "legacy".
"I'm going to squeeze four fights in, at least two of them against the Klitschko brothers," Haye announced.
"I said when I was 10 years old that I would retire when I was 30-31. I've achieved my goals that I set out to do as a kid; it's now about that extra legacy.
"To unify the titles against Wladimir or Vitaly would be absolutely huge for my legacy. If it doesn't happen in two years, then it doesn't happen. However I will find someone to secure my legacy with.
"I could keep going on for another seven years. I eat healthy, so I could probably go on longer than that if I wanted to.
"But I've seen good friends and fighters where their speech has deteriorated over the years. I'd hate to fall in that category when I'm 38 or 39, where you lose you faculties.
"I'm healthy at the moment and I want to make sure I achieve all my goals and then get out of it (the sport of boxing) the same way I got into it."
Valuev rematch
If a bout with either Wladimir or Vitaly does not come off in the near future, another possible option for Haye could be a rematch with Nikolay Valuev - the man he beat to be crowned world champion.
"It's a possibility," the former cruiserweight admitted. "If the Vitaly and Wladimir fights don't materialise then there is an option where that could potentially happen."
Asked if he'd like to face Valuev again, he replied: "In an ideal world no, because I've already beaten him.
"But if it has to happen, then it has to happen. I believe if I fought him again I'd knock him out this time around. I know I can hurt him and I'd make sure I got to him earlier (than in their first fight)."
Source: skysports.com
Senin, 05 April 2010
Jean Marc Mormeck Says Haye Not Yet Ready For Klitschkos; Wants Another Go At The WBA Heavyweight Champ Himself -- Eastside Boxing
By James Slater, Eastside Boxing
Amongst the interested observers of Saturday night's WBA heavyweight title fight battle between David Haye and challenger John Ruiz, was Frenchman Jean Marc Mormeck; the man who was stopped inside seven-rounds by "The Hayemaker" down at cruiserweight in 2007. The 37-year-old "Marksman," now 1-0 in his own campaign up at heavyweight, is still intent on getting the opportunity to gain revenge over Haye, and he has also told French newspaper L'Equipe how he doesn't think Haye is yet ready for either Klitschko brother..
Mormeck, 34-4(22) defeated tough guy Vinny Maddalone in his heavyweight debut back in December, and next up for the former cruiserweight champ is a scheduled May 6th fight with fringe contender Fres Oquendo. Mormeck says that if he does as he thinks he will and defeats "Fast Fres," he and his team will then put an offer on the table for Haye to face him in a rematch of what the Frenchman calls their "dirty" fight.
Mormeck first gave his take on Haye's showing against Ruiz.
"I'm convinced if he'd [Haye] fought either of the Klitschko brothers instead of Ruiz he would have lost the fight inside the distance," Mormeck told L'Equipe. "He's not yet ready to fight either of them. One day he will be, but it's still too early for him."
No doubt a number of fans will agree with what Mormeck has had to say. However, ready or not, there is a good chance Haye will face either Wladimir or Vitali - possibly at Wembley, London - later this year. Mormeck, though, hopes it will be he who gets in the ring with the exciting power-puncher next.
"I'm up for it," Mormeck said of a second go at Haye. "First of all I have to convince people that I'm deserving of my place in the heavyweight division. I think I'll come through it. Haye is beatable and I think I can swing a fight against him in my favour.
"In Levallois (in France, the scene of the Haye-Mormeck fight in November 2007) when he beat me he hit me with a lot of dirty punches. And against Valuev, he didn't necessarily deserve to win. But it [the verdict] was swayed by business interests. He's English, elegant and a lot more attractive option in the heavyweight division than a Russian giant.
"If I come through the Oquendo fight, as I believe I can, we'll be putting an offer [to Haye] on the table."
What chances are there of a Haye-Mormeck II? Slim and none, as the saying goes. Mormeck - who in my opinion faces a tough night against solid heavyweight Oquendo - is clearly still angry at losing to Haye in Paris, but with all the other, bigger fights out there for the current WBA heavyweight champ, the Frenchman's chances of even being looked at by Team-Haye appear to be remote at best.
Source: eastsideboxing.com
Amongst the interested observers of Saturday night's WBA heavyweight title fight battle between David Haye and challenger John Ruiz, was Frenchman Jean Marc Mormeck; the man who was stopped inside seven-rounds by "The Hayemaker" down at cruiserweight in 2007. The 37-year-old "Marksman," now 1-0 in his own campaign up at heavyweight, is still intent on getting the opportunity to gain revenge over Haye, and he has also told French newspaper L'Equipe how he doesn't think Haye is yet ready for either Klitschko brother..
Mormeck, 34-4(22) defeated tough guy Vinny Maddalone in his heavyweight debut back in December, and next up for the former cruiserweight champ is a scheduled May 6th fight with fringe contender Fres Oquendo. Mormeck says that if he does as he thinks he will and defeats "Fast Fres," he and his team will then put an offer on the table for Haye to face him in a rematch of what the Frenchman calls their "dirty" fight.
Mormeck first gave his take on Haye's showing against Ruiz.
"I'm convinced if he'd [Haye] fought either of the Klitschko brothers instead of Ruiz he would have lost the fight inside the distance," Mormeck told L'Equipe. "He's not yet ready to fight either of them. One day he will be, but it's still too early for him."No doubt a number of fans will agree with what Mormeck has had to say. However, ready or not, there is a good chance Haye will face either Wladimir or Vitali - possibly at Wembley, London - later this year. Mormeck, though, hopes it will be he who gets in the ring with the exciting power-puncher next."I'm up for it," Mormeck said of a second go at Haye. "First of all I have to convince people that I'm deserving of my place in the heavyweight division. I think I'll come through it. Haye is beatable and I think I can swing a fight against him in my favour.
"In Levallois (in France, the scene of the Haye-Mormeck fight in November 2007) when he beat me he hit me with a lot of dirty punches. And against Valuev, he didn't necessarily deserve to win. But it [the verdict] was swayed by business interests. He's English, elegant and a lot more attractive option in the heavyweight division than a Russian giant.
"If I come through the Oquendo fight, as I believe I can, we'll be putting an offer [to Haye] on the table."
What chances are there of a Haye-Mormeck II? Slim and none, as the saying goes. Mormeck - who in my opinion faces a tough night against solid heavyweight Oquendo - is clearly still angry at losing to Haye in Paris, but with all the other, bigger fights out there for the current WBA heavyweight champ, the Frenchman's chances of even being looked at by Team-Haye appear to be remote at best.
Source: eastsideboxing.com
Sabtu, 03 April 2010
David Haye is an accident waiting to happen in the heavyweight division -- Mirror
By Derek McGovern, Mirror.co.uk
John Ruiz reckons he was robbed twice when he lost on points to 7ft tall Nikolai Valuev. Unfortunately he couldn't pick him out in the identity parade afterwards.
David Haye took all the plaudits for seeing off Valuev after 12 inactive rounds last time out. The Jolly Green Giant would have put up a better fight.
When Ruiz, nicknamed The Quiet Man, was asked if he thought he would beat Haye he nodded before mumbling something inaudible.
Haye is an accident waiting to happen in the heavyweight division.
He has been ko'd by a 40-year-old cruiserweight. There's no disgrace in that for most blokes - it's happened to me with the wife - but Haye is the heavyweight champion of the world, or at least one of them.
Whether Ruiz, a 38-year-old ring-worn veteran, is the man to cause that accident is open to debate. Ruiz has neither speed nor an explosive punch, and someone really ought to tell him these attributes are rather handy when your chosen profession is boxing.
He does have a certain measure of durability, though and that might be enough. Haye will either blast Ruiz out early or get nailed himself late on.
Haye went the distance against Valuev without expending too much energy, mainly because it's relatively easy to get out of the way of plodding giants, except in B movies.
Value-seekers should look closely at the groupround betting. I wouldn't put anyone off backing Ruiz to win between rounds 9-12, a 25-1 poke with Stan James.
Source: mirror.co.uk
John Ruiz reckons he was robbed twice when he lost on points to 7ft tall Nikolai Valuev. Unfortunately he couldn't pick him out in the identity parade afterwards.
David Haye took all the plaudits for seeing off Valuev after 12 inactive rounds last time out. The Jolly Green Giant would have put up a better fight.
When Ruiz, nicknamed The Quiet Man, was asked if he thought he would beat Haye he nodded before mumbling something inaudible.Haye is an accident waiting to happen in the heavyweight division.
He has been ko'd by a 40-year-old cruiserweight. There's no disgrace in that for most blokes - it's happened to me with the wife - but Haye is the heavyweight champion of the world, or at least one of them.He has a knockout punch, yes, but there are serious question marks about his stamina, chin and hairstyle.
Whether Ruiz, a 38-year-old ring-worn veteran, is the man to cause that accident is open to debate. Ruiz has neither speed nor an explosive punch, and someone really ought to tell him these attributes are rather handy when your chosen profession is boxing.
He does have a certain measure of durability, though and that might be enough. Haye will either blast Ruiz out early or get nailed himself late on.
Haye went the distance against Valuev without expending too much energy, mainly because it's relatively easy to get out of the way of plodding giants, except in B movies.
Value-seekers should look closely at the groupround betting. I wouldn't put anyone off backing Ruiz to win between rounds 9-12, a 25-1 poke with Stan James.
Source: mirror.co.uk
Jumat, 02 April 2010
David Haye plans stylish victory over Ruiz -- AFP
AFP
MANCHESTER — David Haye plans a big statement victory when he defends the WBA world heavyweight title against John Ruiz on Saturday.
Haye took the title by defeating Nikolai Valuev with a disciplined display that went the full 12 rounds in November, but he wants to provide a more entertaining bout when meets Ruiz at Manchester's MEN Arena.
The 29-year-old Londoner has recorded 21 knockouts in 23 victories and he believes it is time to get back to his more flamboyant style.
"After what happened against Valuev I definitely feel pressure to put on something special," he said. "I'm fighting someone my own size, so that should be easier.
"Everyone knows the reason I fought like that against Valuev - it was because of his sheer size. I had used to my advantages which were speed, timing and accuracy.
"It will be something different to what people are used to seeing. Ruiz will be tough but the plan is still to render him unconscious.
"I want to make a big statement in this fight by showing how a heavyweight champion deals with John Ruiz.
"I'll throw everything at him. It will be all guns blazing and I'm expecting to sizzle."
Haye's ambition of producing an electrifying first defence may be thwarted by Ruiz, whose spoiling style has increased his longevity while limiting his box-office appeal.
The 38-year-old American, who battled Evander Holyfield across three fights and 36 rounds a decade ago, could be troubled by Haye's speed but is in impressive shape.
Haye admits Ruiz has the look of an obdurate opponent.
"There doesn't seem to be an ounce of fear in Ruiz," he said. "Sometimes you can see in their eyes that they're nervous - they might pump their chest out and you can see their heart beating - but he's looked cool, calm and collected.
"I wouldn't go as far as to say I admire him but I respect him and what's he done.
"I respect that's he's been around for so long, always giving a great account of himself.
"He's always been the underdog but has usually found a way to win.
"He's not the most exciting of fighters, but this time round he's in great shape so I'm expecting fireworks."
Should Haye make Ruiz his 24th victim, he will target a lucrative showdown against either Vitali or Wladimir Klitschko.
"After this the plan is the Klitschko brothers. But nothing matters if this doesn't go the way we want it to," Haye added.
"I've got to beat Ruiz first. If I do then there are some superfights out there for me.
"I believe I'm a born winner and all I do is aspire to win. That's all I think about in anything I do in life."
Copyright © 2010 AFP. All rights reserved.
Source: google.com
MANCHESTER — David Haye plans a big statement victory when he defends the WBA world heavyweight title against John Ruiz on Saturday.
Haye took the title by defeating Nikolai Valuev with a disciplined display that went the full 12 rounds in November, but he wants to provide a more entertaining bout when meets Ruiz at Manchester's MEN Arena.
The 29-year-old Londoner has recorded 21 knockouts in 23 victories and he believes it is time to get back to his more flamboyant style.
"After what happened against Valuev I definitely feel pressure to put on something special," he said. "I'm fighting someone my own size, so that should be easier."Everyone knows the reason I fought like that against Valuev - it was because of his sheer size. I had used to my advantages which were speed, timing and accuracy."It will be completely different this time around - you'll see what I can do against someone who's my own size.
"I want to make a big statement in this fight by showing how a heavyweight champion deals with John Ruiz.
"I'll throw everything at him. It will be all guns blazing and I'm expecting to sizzle."
Haye's ambition of producing an electrifying first defence may be thwarted by Ruiz, whose spoiling style has increased his longevity while limiting his box-office appeal.
The 38-year-old American, who battled Evander Holyfield across three fights and 36 rounds a decade ago, could be troubled by Haye's speed but is in impressive shape.
Haye admits Ruiz has the look of an obdurate opponent.
"There doesn't seem to be an ounce of fear in Ruiz," he said. "Sometimes you can see in their eyes that they're nervous - they might pump their chest out and you can see their heart beating - but he's looked cool, calm and collected.
"I wouldn't go as far as to say I admire him but I respect him and what's he done.
"I respect that's he's been around for so long, always giving a great account of himself.
"He's always been the underdog but has usually found a way to win.
"He's not the most exciting of fighters, but this time round he's in great shape so I'm expecting fireworks."
Should Haye make Ruiz his 24th victim, he will target a lucrative showdown against either Vitali or Wladimir Klitschko.
"After this the plan is the Klitschko brothers. But nothing matters if this doesn't go the way we want it to," Haye added.
"I've got to beat Ruiz first. If I do then there are some superfights out there for me.
"I believe I'm a born winner and all I do is aspire to win. That's all I think about in anything I do in life."
Copyright © 2010 AFP. All rights reserved.
Source: google.com
Haye his heaviest yet -- Sky Sports
Sky Sports
David Haye will be the heaviest he's been when he takes on John Ruiz on Saturday.
The WBA heavyweight world champion tipped the scales at 15st 12lbs which is five pounds more than he weighed for his win over Nikolai Valuev in November.
Ruiz, fighting for a world title for the 11th time, came in almost a stone heavier at 16st 7lbs - six pounds shy of his own career high but nine heavier than the Briton - and kept his top on.
Haye entered the Great Hall in Manchester's Town Hall to a rousing reception and stripped to the waist as if to prove all the talk of excess weight is completely unfounded.
The pair then posed for the traditional face-off and although the crowd cheered as they stood inches apart, there was not a trace of bad blood between the two.
Many experts had voiced concerns around Haye's physique in this week's build-up but the WBA champion pointed out that he was also only five pounds heavier than when he made his heavyweight debut against Tomasz Bonin three years ago.
"I think I'm developing into a heavyweight," he told Sky Sports News. "I've never been one of those guys who comes over-muscly or too bulked up.
"I've done everything gradually and I feel fit and healthy at this weight."
Trainer Adam Booth revealed Haye's camp have not been concerned with poundage throughout the training camp and Sky Sports' Jim Watt agreed.
He also believes Haye will back to his explosive best after an unusually subdued run-up to the fight.
"There's not one ounce that shouldn't be there and look at the muscle definition and the look in his eyes - he is confident and he still has that mischievous glint that we always see from him," he said.
"I am not in the least bit troubled. He might be five pounds heavier but he looks in fantastic condition."
Source: skysports.com
David Haye will be the heaviest he's been when he takes on John Ruiz on Saturday.
The WBA heavyweight world champion tipped the scales at 15st 12lbs which is five pounds more than he weighed for his win over Nikolai Valuev in November.
Ruiz, fighting for a world title for the 11th time, came in almost a stone heavier at 16st 7lbs - six pounds shy of his own career high but nine heavier than the Briton - and kept his top on.
Haye entered the Great Hall in Manchester's Town Hall to a rousing reception and stripped to the waist as if to prove all the talk of excess weight is completely unfounded.
The pair then posed for the traditional face-off and although the crowd cheered as they stood inches apart, there was not a trace of bad blood between the two.Many experts had voiced concerns around Haye's physique in this week's build-up but the WBA champion pointed out that he was also only five pounds heavier than when he made his heavyweight debut against Tomasz Bonin three years ago."I think I'm developing into a heavyweight," he told Sky Sports News. "I've never been one of those guys who comes over-muscly or too bulked up.
"I've done everything gradually and I feel fit and healthy at this weight."
Trainer Adam Booth revealed Haye's camp have not been concerned with poundage throughout the training camp and Sky Sports' Jim Watt agreed.
He also believes Haye will back to his explosive best after an unusually subdued run-up to the fight.
"There's not one ounce that shouldn't be there and look at the muscle definition and the look in his eyes - he is confident and he still has that mischievous glint that we always see from him," he said.
"I am not in the least bit troubled. He might be five pounds heavier but he looks in fantastic condition."
Source: skysports.com
David Haye vows to go into hiding if John Ruiz takes his title -- Mirror
By David Anderson, Mirror.co.uk
David Haye claims he will hide away for a year if he loses his WBA heavyweight title to John Ruiz. Haye is desperate not to suffer the same fate as Frank Bruno did in 1996 when he lost his crown to Mike Tyson in his first defence.
The two-weight world champ says he was gutted for Bruno back then as a teenage fan.
The South Londoner admits losing to Ruiz tomorrow at Manchester's MEN Arena after claiming the title from Nikolai Valuev would be even worse than when he suffered his only pro defeat to Carl Thompson in 2004.
"Winning the title and then losing it to John Ruiz would be devastating," said Haye at yesterday's head-to-head at Manchester Town Hall.
"I'd be devastated by that. It would feel a lot worse than I did when I lost to Carl Thompson.
"Then I had the excuse of being a novice. This time I have no excuse. After the Carl Thompson defeat, I went away for a couple of weeks. This one would be so much worse, I'd probably want to duck out for a year. Just get away from everything.
"Every champion knows the high of winning can quickly turn to the opposite feeling if things go wrong in the first defence.
"I remember Frank Bruno winning the title then losing it.
Haye, 29, knows his dreams of beating the Klitschko brothers to unify the heavyweight titles rest on this first defence against twotime champ Ruiz and his mentor Adam Booth claims the American is dangerous.
Haye's manager and trainer rubbished talk that at 38, Ruiz is past it, claiming he has been rejuvenated under new trainer Miguel Diaz.
"John Ruiz is the hardest fight out there for David and there's only Vitali Klitschko who can compare," said Booth. "John Ruiz is a seasoned and successful heavyweight, who has been at the top for a long time.
"I've watched a lot of his tapes and I'm seeing a lot of the little signs, the signs that make you recognise that he has been renewed.
"People say that at 38, his best days are behind him, but I don't agree with that. I believe John Ruiz's worst days are behind him and that his best days are now. We have prepared accordingly."
Ruiz, who is bidding to join Muhammad Ali and Evander Holyfield in the exclusive club of three-time world heavyweight champs, has been in training in Las Vegas for three months and Diaz doubts Haye's stamina.
He feels the Hayemaker's struggles against Giacobbe Fragomeni in 2006 when they fought for the European cruiserweight title before he won in the ninth suggests he may not be able to handle the pressure.
"Haye was winning up to the fifth round and he was then in trouble and was cut," said Diaz.
"I know he eventually won, but that tells me that I don't know if he can take the heat in the kitchen."
Haye laughed off Diaz's claims and feels Ruiz's camp are getting desperate if they have picked out that fight as a sign that he is vulnerable.
"I knocked him out in the ninth round, so I don't know what confidence they can take from that," he said.
"If Ruiz is expecting that David Haye to turn up, he's going to be disappointed. I'm bigger, faster, stronger than then."
Source: mirror.co.uk
David Haye claims he will hide away for a year if he loses his WBA heavyweight title to John Ruiz. Haye is desperate not to suffer the same fate as Frank Bruno did in 1996 when he lost his crown to Mike Tyson in his first defence.
The two-weight world champ says he was gutted for Bruno back then as a teenage fan.
The South Londoner admits losing to Ruiz tomorrow at Manchester's MEN Arena after claiming the title from Nikolai Valuev would be even worse than when he suffered his only pro defeat to Carl Thompson in 2004.
"Winning the title and then losing it to John Ruiz would be devastating," said Haye at yesterday's head-to-head at Manchester Town Hall.
"I'd be devastated by that. It would feel a lot worse than I did when I lost to Carl Thompson.
"Then I had the excuse of being a novice. This time I have no excuse. After the Carl Thompson defeat, I went away for a couple of weeks. This one would be so much worse, I'd probably want to duck out for a year. Just get away from everything.
"Every champion knows the high of winning can quickly turn to the opposite feeling if things go wrong in the first defence.
"I remember Frank Bruno winning the title then losing it."He went from such a high when he won to getting blasted by Mike Tyson. I remember being on a real downer afterwards - and that was just me as a fan.
"That fear of losing is my main motivation. I've got to believe I'm a true winner and that's all I'm thinking about. I just want people to know I'm the best.
"People talk about fighters being two-time or three-time, I want to be the one-time undisputed champion. That's the plan."
Haye, 29, knows his dreams of beating the Klitschko brothers to unify the heavyweight titles rest on this first defence against twotime champ Ruiz and his mentor Adam Booth claims the American is dangerous.
Haye's manager and trainer rubbished talk that at 38, Ruiz is past it, claiming he has been rejuvenated under new trainer Miguel Diaz.
"John Ruiz is the hardest fight out there for David and there's only Vitali Klitschko who can compare," said Booth. "John Ruiz is a seasoned and successful heavyweight, who has been at the top for a long time.
"I've watched a lot of his tapes and I'm seeing a lot of the little signs, the signs that make you recognise that he has been renewed.
"People say that at 38, his best days are behind him, but I don't agree with that. I believe John Ruiz's worst days are behind him and that his best days are now. We have prepared accordingly."
Ruiz, who is bidding to join Muhammad Ali and Evander Holyfield in the exclusive club of three-time world heavyweight champs, has been in training in Las Vegas for three months and Diaz doubts Haye's stamina.
He feels the Hayemaker's struggles against Giacobbe Fragomeni in 2006 when they fought for the European cruiserweight title before he won in the ninth suggests he may not be able to handle the pressure.
"Haye was winning up to the fifth round and he was then in trouble and was cut," said Diaz.
"I know he eventually won, but that tells me that I don't know if he can take the heat in the kitchen."
Haye laughed off Diaz's claims and feels Ruiz's camp are getting desperate if they have picked out that fight as a sign that he is vulnerable.
"I knocked him out in the ninth round, so I don't know what confidence they can take from that," he said.
"If Ruiz is expecting that David Haye to turn up, he's going to be disappointed. I'm bigger, faster, stronger than then."
Source: mirror.co.uk
Kamis, 01 April 2010
The Cat hopes Haye has learnt his lesson -- BBC Sport
By Ben Dirs, BBC Sport
Pain is relative, so when Carl Thompson tells you David Haye hasn't been tested since he beat Britain's current heavyweight world champion back in 2004, it would be foolish not to take into account Thompson's stratospheric threshold.
There were times when watching a Thompson bout was like watching a sculptor working with a set of children's tools, his opponent's blows ricocheting off all parts until the tools were bent and broken and pretty much useless.
Six years earlier Thompson had brought Chris Eubank's career to a juddering halt, and only a few months before his fight with Haye, Thompson was pulverised for nine rounds by South African Sebastiaan Rothmann before dredging up a huge right hand and turning the fight on its head. Unlike the cricketer Phil Tufnell, Thompson was nicknamed 'The Cat' for his infinite lives rather than his ad hoc sleeping habits.
In his fight against Haye he was very nearly stopped in the first, before Haye blew himself out and Thompson blew him away. "I learned my lesson not to be complacent a long time ago," says Haye, "but it's still fresh in my mind." Fresh as a gale force wind.
On Saturday in Manchester, Haye makes the first defence of his WBA heavyweight crown against two-time world champion John Ruiz, but Thompson, still dreaming of a comeback at the age of 45, is yet to be convinced of his old rival's credentials, uncertain the lessons have been learnt.
"David needs to show me a little bit more to prove to me he has learnt because the people he has fought since me haven't really tested him," says the former cruiserweight world champion.
"Even when he beat Nikolay Valuev for the world title, that big guy, 7ft 2in, never used his height or weight advantage, he didn't use anything, he just let David take the belt off him.
"I'm a very hard person to please, but if John Ruiz can test him a bit more and David can beat him, then that would go some way to proving I at least taught him something."
While Thompson was 40 when he defeated Haye, the grizzly Ruiz is 38 and a veteran of 53 pro fights (44 wins, eight defeats and one draw), 10 of them with a world title at stake. His clinch and grab style has made him perhaps the most maligned fighter of his generation, yet the truth is he has one of the most impressive resumes of any heavyweight fighting today (which, critics would argue, only goes to show how far the division has fallen).
In a career stretching back to 1992, Ruiz has been in with Tony Tucker (won), Evander Holyfield (one loss, one win, one draw), Roy Jones Jr (lost), Hasim Rahman (won), Andrew Golota (won, despite being down twice) and Valuev (losing narrowly twice). Win, lose or draw, even his harshest critics would have to admit 'The Quiet Man' brings a tremendous amount of experience to the party.
"There are similarities," says Thompson. "I knew I could beat David because I knew he had never been in hard fights like I'd been. When he came up against me, he must have been shocked, and Ruiz will be hoping for the same."
Ruiz's new trainer, the venerable Argentine Miguel Diaz, says his charge will be boxing rather than wrestling at the MEN Arena, while Ruiz himself, who has been whittled down to 16st, has spoken of taking Haye out of his comfort zone by throwing 50 punches a round. It is a tactic Thompson approves of, but he is not convinced Ruiz has what it takes to follow it through.
"John Ruiz is similar to my style in that he will come forward," says Thompson, "but coming forward is not necessarily the same as applying pressure. I applied a lot of pressure, even when David came at me I still came at him.
"How you fight David is you let him steam at you, try to blast you out, and then you've got to attack him straightaway, so that you're forcing him to work when he doesn't want to work.
"That's the key for John Ruiz, but I don't know if John is capable of doing that, making David fight when he doesn't want to fight. It's a bit too late for changing things now, and I'm not sure John ever had what it took in the first place."
"He'll be thinking that, coming forward, getting through the early onslaught, he'll try to get me in the second half of the fight," says Haye. "But he doesn't realise that early onslaught is going to be so extensive he'll be lucky to be there for the second half of the fight.
"I have to see John Ruiz as the toughest fight of my life, simply because he is. If I lost to John Ruiz, it would be catastrophic. All that hard work, the win against Valuev, would mean nothing.
"I've got to produce the same performance as I did against Valuev, pure class, pure skills, and I'm positive I will get the knockout. I'm going to have to produce something special to get him out of there, but I will do it."
There's a great line from BBC commentator Jim Neilly, just as Haye is starting to wane against Thompson: "Is he going to get a lesson from an old fella whom everybody has just about written off?" He could have been speaking about Ruiz - we'll find out on Saturday whether The Cat's lesson has been learnt or not.
Source: bbc.co.uk
Pain is relative, so when Carl Thompson tells you David Haye hasn't been tested since he beat Britain's current heavyweight world champion back in 2004, it would be foolish not to take into account Thompson's stratospheric threshold.
There were times when watching a Thompson bout was like watching a sculptor working with a set of children's tools, his opponent's blows ricocheting off all parts until the tools were bent and broken and pretty much useless."I was thinking, 'I'm going to knock him out'," says Haye of the night he suffered his only professional defeat to date. "And it didn't happen." "I was a very hard person to fight," explains Thompson. "To David that fight was hard, to me it was just an everyday thing."
Six years earlier Thompson had brought Chris Eubank's career to a juddering halt, and only a few months before his fight with Haye, Thompson was pulverised for nine rounds by South African Sebastiaan Rothmann before dredging up a huge right hand and turning the fight on its head. Unlike the cricketer Phil Tufnell, Thompson was nicknamed 'The Cat' for his infinite lives rather than his ad hoc sleeping habits.In his fight against Haye he was very nearly stopped in the first, before Haye blew himself out and Thompson blew him away. "I learned my lesson not to be complacent a long time ago," says Haye, "but it's still fresh in my mind." Fresh as a gale force wind.
On Saturday in Manchester, Haye makes the first defence of his WBA heavyweight crown against two-time world champion John Ruiz, but Thompson, still dreaming of a comeback at the age of 45, is yet to be convinced of his old rival's credentials, uncertain the lessons have been learnt.
"David needs to show me a little bit more to prove to me he has learnt because the people he has fought since me haven't really tested him," says the former cruiserweight world champion.
"Even when he beat Nikolay Valuev for the world title, that big guy, 7ft 2in, never used his height or weight advantage, he didn't use anything, he just let David take the belt off him.
"I'm a very hard person to please, but if John Ruiz can test him a bit more and David can beat him, then that would go some way to proving I at least taught him something."
While Thompson was 40 when he defeated Haye, the grizzly Ruiz is 38 and a veteran of 53 pro fights (44 wins, eight defeats and one draw), 10 of them with a world title at stake. His clinch and grab style has made him perhaps the most maligned fighter of his generation, yet the truth is he has one of the most impressive resumes of any heavyweight fighting today (which, critics would argue, only goes to show how far the division has fallen).
In a career stretching back to 1992, Ruiz has been in with Tony Tucker (won), Evander Holyfield (one loss, one win, one draw), Roy Jones Jr (lost), Hasim Rahman (won), Andrew Golota (won, despite being down twice) and Valuev (losing narrowly twice). Win, lose or draw, even his harshest critics would have to admit 'The Quiet Man' brings a tremendous amount of experience to the party.
"There are similarities," says Thompson. "I knew I could beat David because I knew he had never been in hard fights like I'd been. When he came up against me, he must have been shocked, and Ruiz will be hoping for the same."
Ruiz's new trainer, the venerable Argentine Miguel Diaz, says his charge will be boxing rather than wrestling at the MEN Arena, while Ruiz himself, who has been whittled down to 16st, has spoken of taking Haye out of his comfort zone by throwing 50 punches a round. It is a tactic Thompson approves of, but he is not convinced Ruiz has what it takes to follow it through.
"John Ruiz is similar to my style in that he will come forward," says Thompson, "but coming forward is not necessarily the same as applying pressure. I applied a lot of pressure, even when David came at me I still came at him.
"How you fight David is you let him steam at you, try to blast you out, and then you've got to attack him straightaway, so that you're forcing him to work when he doesn't want to work.
"That's the key for John Ruiz, but I don't know if John is capable of doing that, making David fight when he doesn't want to fight. It's a bit too late for changing things now, and I'm not sure John ever had what it took in the first place."
"He'll be thinking that, coming forward, getting through the early onslaught, he'll try to get me in the second half of the fight," says Haye. "But he doesn't realise that early onslaught is going to be so extensive he'll be lucky to be there for the second half of the fight.
"I have to see John Ruiz as the toughest fight of my life, simply because he is. If I lost to John Ruiz, it would be catastrophic. All that hard work, the win against Valuev, would mean nothing.
"I've got to produce the same performance as I did against Valuev, pure class, pure skills, and I'm positive I will get the knockout. I'm going to have to produce something special to get him out of there, but I will do it."
There's a great line from BBC commentator Jim Neilly, just as Haye is starting to wane against Thompson: "Is he going to get a lesson from an old fella whom everybody has just about written off?" He could have been speaking about Ruiz - we'll find out on Saturday whether The Cat's lesson has been learnt or not.
Source: bbc.co.uk
Haye vows to beat Ruiz "within an inch of his life" -- ESPN
ESPN.co.uk
David Haye has vowed to "beat John Ruiz within an inch of his life" when the two meet for the WBA heavyweight championship on Saturday evening.
The veteran Ruiz is renowned as a durable competitor, having only been stopped once in his career - 14 years ago against David Tua. To beat the American, Haye acknowledges that he is going to have to employ a more aggressive strategy than he used when defeating Nikolai Valuev in November 2009 to win the title.
Haye, who was nursing an injured hand during that contest, often appeared more interested in evading Valuev's reach than in throwing blows - a strategy he acknowledges will not bear any fruit against Ruiz.
Responding to this suggestion, a bristling Haye took a swipe at Ruiz's in-ring style. "He can talk about the judges, but maybe if he had some fans he might still be world champion. Throughout my career, I have fought to entertain people and I am an exciting fighter. Maybe if he had fought more instead of just hugging people to death, he might have some fans too," he said.
Source: espn.co.uk
David Haye has vowed to "beat John Ruiz within an inch of his life" when the two meet for the WBA heavyweight championship on Saturday evening.
The veteran Ruiz is renowned as a durable competitor, having only been stopped once in his career - 14 years ago against David Tua. To beat the American, Haye acknowledges that he is going to have to employ a more aggressive strategy than he used when defeating Nikolai Valuev in November 2009 to win the title.
Haye, who was nursing an injured hand during that contest, often appeared more interested in evading Valuev's reach than in throwing blows - a strategy he acknowledges will not bear any fruit against Ruiz. "I'm going to have to beat him to within an inch of his life. I know he's got good powers of recovery and I'm really going to have to hammer away at him. I know that if I keep chopping, the tree will eventually fall," Haye said.
Ruiz has regularly made reference to the Valuev fight in his verbal jousting with Haye, with his most recent jibe claiming that Haye only won the bout because his vociferous support at ringside swayed the judges towards awarding him the win.
Responding to this suggestion, a bristling Haye took a swipe at Ruiz's in-ring style. "He can talk about the judges, but maybe if he had some fans he might still be world champion. Throughout my career, I have fought to entertain people and I am an exciting fighter. Maybe if he had fought more instead of just hugging people to death, he might have some fans too," he said.
Source: espn.co.uk
HAYE: YOU! GET OFF OF MY CROWD -- Mirror
By David Anderson, Mirror.co.uk
BOXING HEAVYWEIGHT SHOWDOWN
David Haye has hit back in the verbal fisticuffs with John Ruiz, claiming: "You might still be world champion if you had fans."
Wba heavyweight king Haye landed his dig in response to Ruiz's jibe that he only won the title from Nikolai Valuev because his supporters at ringside swayed the judges to give him the decision.
He says at least he has fans and Ruiz could accommodate all his supporters in a phone box.
"Granted, my fight with Valuev was not the most action-packed of my career, but I had a game-plan and I won," said the two-weight world champion.
"And that's what it's all about. "He can talk about the judges, but maybe if he had some fans he might still be world champion.
"Maybe if he had fought more instead of just hugging people to death, he might have some fans too."
Despite this jibe, Haye has been restrained in his war of words with Ruiz compared to his all-out assault on Valuev.
The Londoner claims he doesn't need to get under the American's skin to beat him when he makes his first defence against him in Manchester's MEN Arena on Saturday, live on Sky Box Office HD. Haye has tried to think how Lennox Lewis would beat Ruiz and says he may ring the former undisputed world heavyweight champ.
"When I fought Valuev, part of my game-plan was to wind him up to make him come after me," he said. "I'm not that kind of guy normally and that was the only reason why I did it.
"For Ruiz, I don't need to try and get inside his head. I know I have the ability to beat him without having to unsettle him.
"Sometimes I ask myself how would Lennox Lewis have dealt with him and I think he would have broken him down before taking him out.
"I may give him a call because Lennox is a master strategist."
Two-time champ Ruiz's only knock-out during his 18-year pro career was a 19-second defeat to David Tua in 1996 and Haye claims he will become the second man to stop him by beating him "to within an inch of his life".
He said: "The only stoppage he's had was earlier in his career against David Tua and it was a flash knock-out.
"I don't think that will happen again and to stop him, I'm going to have to break him down and take him out.
"To do that, I'm going to have to beat him to within an inch of his life. I'm really going to have to do a number on this guy.
"I know he's got good powers of recovery and I'm really going to have to hammer away at him. But I know that if I keep chopping, the tree will eventually fall."
Like all of Haye's opponents, Ruiz feels the champ is chinny because of his five-round destruction at the hands of Carl Thompson in 2004, which remains his only pro defeat.
Haye, 29, is happy to let Ruiz delude himself this way because he knows he is a totally different fighter now.
"I've heard him say he's going to get on top of me the whole fight and that I'm chinny," he said.
"He thinks he has the game-plan to beat me and that he can do what Carl Thompson did to me.
"That defeat was one of those one-off things and it won't happen again. I was the architect of my own downfall that night and I've learned from that.
"I've proved to everyone that I've moved to a different level and on Saturday, Ruiz is also going to get acquainted with the new me."
Source: mirror.co.uk
BOXING HEAVYWEIGHT SHOWDOWN
David Haye has hit back in the verbal fisticuffs with John Ruiz, claiming: "You might still be world champion if you had fans."
Wba heavyweight king Haye landed his dig in response to Ruiz's jibe that he only won the title from Nikolai Valuev because his supporters at ringside swayed the judges to give him the decision.
Haye feels there is a distinct whiff of sour grapes about Ruiz's comments because he lost his title and failed to regain it both times he fought Valuev in Germany.
He says at least he has fans and Ruiz could accommodate all his supporters in a phone box."Granted, my fight with Valuev was not the most action-packed of my career, but I had a game-plan and I won," said the two-weight world champion.
"And that's what it's all about. "He can talk about the judges, but maybe if he had some fans he might still be world champion."Throughout my career, I have fought to entertain people and I am an exciting fighter.
Despite this jibe, Haye has been restrained in his war of words with Ruiz compared to his all-out assault on Valuev.
The Londoner claims he doesn't need to get under the American's skin to beat him when he makes his first defence against him in Manchester's MEN Arena on Saturday, live on Sky Box Office HD. Haye has tried to think how Lennox Lewis would beat Ruiz and says he may ring the former undisputed world heavyweight champ.
"When I fought Valuev, part of my game-plan was to wind him up to make him come after me," he said. "I'm not that kind of guy normally and that was the only reason why I did it.
"For Ruiz, I don't need to try and get inside his head. I know I have the ability to beat him without having to unsettle him.
"Sometimes I ask myself how would Lennox Lewis have dealt with him and I think he would have broken him down before taking him out.
"I may give him a call because Lennox is a master strategist."
Two-time champ Ruiz's only knock-out during his 18-year pro career was a 19-second defeat to David Tua in 1996 and Haye claims he will become the second man to stop him by beating him "to within an inch of his life".
He said: "The only stoppage he's had was earlier in his career against David Tua and it was a flash knock-out.
"I don't think that will happen again and to stop him, I'm going to have to break him down and take him out.
"To do that, I'm going to have to beat him to within an inch of his life. I'm really going to have to do a number on this guy.
"I know he's got good powers of recovery and I'm really going to have to hammer away at him. But I know that if I keep chopping, the tree will eventually fall."
Like all of Haye's opponents, Ruiz feels the champ is chinny because of his five-round destruction at the hands of Carl Thompson in 2004, which remains his only pro defeat.
Haye, 29, is happy to let Ruiz delude himself this way because he knows he is a totally different fighter now.
"I've heard him say he's going to get on top of me the whole fight and that I'm chinny," he said.
"He thinks he has the game-plan to beat me and that he can do what Carl Thompson did to me.
"That defeat was one of those one-off things and it won't happen again. I was the architect of my own downfall that night and I've learned from that.
"I've proved to everyone that I've moved to a different level and on Saturday, Ruiz is also going to get acquainted with the new me."
Source: mirror.co.uk
Rabu, 31 Maret 2010
John Ruiz ditches anger management to right a wrong against David Haye -- The Guardian
By Kevin Mitchell, Guardian.co.uk
It is not surprising that John Ruiz, a former altar boy who grew up in awe of his Latino mother's temper, is happy to be known as The Quiet Man
. What few expected when he hit Manchester with whispering dignity today were revelations of sublimated anger. At 38 he sounded like a man who might have had his fill of the business.
He last saw it disappear from view when Nikolai Valuev outpointed him for the second time in 2008. Neither decision in Germany, the home of doubt, was conclusive. They were setbacks obvious enough to make the calmest soul fume. "I got cheated," Ruiz said. "Maybe enough is enough. Maybe I should have retired. But it happened. I got another opportunity. And thank goodness I'm not fighting Valuev. I'm fighting David Haye."
Haye is Ruiz's polar opposite, a one-time Bermondsey boy scout, a reformed playboy who has developed megaphone tendencies in striving to pump life and cash into a moribund heavyweight scene.
Ruiz knows about Haye's infamous wind-up of Wladimir Klitschko, the severed head tee-shirts. He says he will not fall for similar shenanigans. Haye is not so sure. "It's a little tasteless," Ruiz said, "but it's his style. I would never do it. I've heard it all, I've seen it all. I've been in the sport such a long time I can't let something like that bother me. Anger's been part of my life. But I control it. Come fight time, I go out there and unleash it. That's what boxing is about.
"My stepfather introduced me to boxing. I never knew what it was. I put on the gloves and then, I don't know … I think it comes from my mother. She's a fighter, basically. And she has a hot temper, let's put it that way. If you get in her face, she'll get back at you. She doesn't care who it is, man, woman, whatever."
Yet, for all his seeming reluctance to let boxing or verbose opponents beat him down, he struggles to hide the rage against unfairness. His mother, Gladys Martínez Morales, took multiple low-paid jobs to keep the family together. "She raised us on her own," Ruiz said, "did the best she could. That's what makes her special. She kept fighting, did whatever she could to put food on the table, worked the fish market, all sorts of jobs. At the same time she disciplined us, gave us pride, making sure I didn't forget my Puerto Rican heritage.
"I do enjoy fighting but there are times when, I don't know, maybe it's just the anger inside me. I'm still here, but I'm looking forward to moving on, being with my family. I got a three-year-old now. At the same time, I still have a little fire in me.
"Boxing is a business. If I did a little more talking back then, I would probably have been a billionaire by now. Who knows? But that's who I am. I don't want to change. I'm just here to fight. I try to bring some pride, some honour, to the sport. We were raised Catholic. I was an altar boy. She made sure we stayed on the right path."
It's a path that has covered 54 fights, against quality fighters, including a knockout defeat by David Tua 14 years ago, and leads now to Haye and a seething MEN Arena on Saturday night.
They are curious dancing partners, the altar boy and the boy scout.
"Last time, against Valuev, luck was with him," Ruiz said, slipping back into boxing mindset. "This time, he's got a fight on his hands."
He surely has.
Source: guardian.co.uk
It is not surprising that John Ruiz, a former altar boy who grew up in awe of his Latino mother's temper, is happy to be known as The Quiet Man
. What few expected when he hit Manchester with whispering dignity today were revelations of sublimated anger. At 38 he sounded like a man who might have had his fill of the business.Under dull skies that reminded him of his childhood in a tight-knit Puerto Rican community 30 miles from Boston he made the ritual noises about dragging David Haye into the trenches to take away his shiny new WBA heavyweight belt, a bauble Ruiz has owned twice and will contest for the 12th time on Saturday night.
He last saw it disappear from view when Nikolai Valuev outpointed him for the second time in 2008. Neither decision in Germany, the home of doubt, was conclusive. They were setbacks obvious enough to make the calmest soul fume. "I got cheated," Ruiz said. "Maybe enough is enough. Maybe I should have retired. But it happened. I got another opportunity. And thank goodness I'm not fighting Valuev. I'm fighting David Haye."Haye is Ruiz's polar opposite, a one-time Bermondsey boy scout, a reformed playboy who has developed megaphone tendencies in striving to pump life and cash into a moribund heavyweight scene.
Ruiz knows about Haye's infamous wind-up of Wladimir Klitschko, the severed head tee-shirts. He says he will not fall for similar shenanigans. Haye is not so sure. "It's a little tasteless," Ruiz said, "but it's his style. I would never do it. I've heard it all, I've seen it all. I've been in the sport such a long time I can't let something like that bother me. Anger's been part of my life. But I control it. Come fight time, I go out there and unleash it. That's what boxing is about.
"My stepfather introduced me to boxing. I never knew what it was. I put on the gloves and then, I don't know … I think it comes from my mother. She's a fighter, basically. And she has a hot temper, let's put it that way. If you get in her face, she'll get back at you. She doesn't care who it is, man, woman, whatever."
Yet, for all his seeming reluctance to let boxing or verbose opponents beat him down, he struggles to hide the rage against unfairness. His mother, Gladys Martínez Morales, took multiple low-paid jobs to keep the family together. "She raised us on her own," Ruiz said, "did the best she could. That's what makes her special. She kept fighting, did whatever she could to put food on the table, worked the fish market, all sorts of jobs. At the same time she disciplined us, gave us pride, making sure I didn't forget my Puerto Rican heritage.
"I do enjoy fighting but there are times when, I don't know, maybe it's just the anger inside me. I'm still here, but I'm looking forward to moving on, being with my family. I got a three-year-old now. At the same time, I still have a little fire in me.
"Boxing is a business. If I did a little more talking back then, I would probably have been a billionaire by now. Who knows? But that's who I am. I don't want to change. I'm just here to fight. I try to bring some pride, some honour, to the sport. We were raised Catholic. I was an altar boy. She made sure we stayed on the right path."
It's a path that has covered 54 fights, against quality fighters, including a knockout defeat by David Tua 14 years ago, and leads now to Haye and a seething MEN Arena on Saturday night.
They are curious dancing partners, the altar boy and the boy scout.
"Last time, against Valuev, luck was with him," Ruiz said, slipping back into boxing mindset. "This time, he's got a fight on his hands."
He surely has.
Source: guardian.co.uk
David Haye v John Ruiz: Quiet American aims to channel his 'anger' -- Telegraph
By Gareth A Davies, Telegraph.co.uk
Yet he was once 'the choir boy’, an altar boy raised with his three siblings by a single mother in Massachusetts. Ruiz insisted his Spartan upbringing led to an anger inside him which has seen him impervious to age in the division.
David Haye aims to address that at the MEN Arena with rugged youth and dangerous speed. Ruiz, 38, possesses a ring resume which reads like a Who’s Who of heavyweights – good, bad and indifferent – from the last fifteen years.
Among them, Evander Holyfield (three meetings – win, lose, draw), Nikolai Valuev (twice – both losses), James Toney, Hasim Rahman – one of only two rivals to beat Lennox Lewis
– and Roy Jones Jnr. Champions all.
Yet the stifling style employed by Ruiz has enabled the canny character to survive against top-class opposition, ten of whom have been world champions. This is his eleventh world title contest.
But frank revelations came from Ruiz as he admitted that his enduring fighting spirit comes from his mother, Gladys Martinez Morales, “a lady but a fighter” who held down three jobs to raise her young Puerto Rican family with dignity. Yet the family’s treatment in the US left Ruiz with an anger he uses even today.
“My mother did what she could to put food on the table, worked in the fish market, held down three jobs, raised us on her own, and had a fighting spirit.
"She taught us discipline and gave us pride and made us special,” said Ruiz after a workout on Wednesday. He looked lean, and will come into the ring at around 225lbs.
“Anger has been a part of my life, stuff that has happened in my life, I control it and come fight time I go out there and unleash it,” he said.
Ruiz, who has a 44-8-1 record, but has lost three of his last six contests, has held the WBA crown twice. Two of those last three bouts were against 7ft Russian man-mountain Valuev.
Both of those contests, were lost, marginally, on points. Haye, once the undisputed world cruiserweight champion, has had only three heavyweight contests.
David Haye v John Ruiz is live in HD on Sky Box Office on Saturday night
Source: telegraph.co.uk
Yet he was once 'the choir boy’, an altar boy raised with his three siblings by a single mother in Massachusetts. Ruiz insisted his Spartan upbringing led to an anger inside him which has seen him impervious to age in the division.
David Haye aims to address that at the MEN Arena with rugged youth and dangerous speed. Ruiz, 38, possesses a ring resume which reads like a Who’s Who of heavyweights – good, bad and indifferent – from the last fifteen years.
Among them, Evander Holyfield (three meetings – win, lose, draw), Nikolai Valuev (twice – both losses), James Toney, Hasim Rahman – one of only two rivals to beat Lennox Lewis – and Roy Jones Jnr. Champions all. Yet the stifling style employed by Ruiz has enabled the canny character to survive against top-class opposition, ten of whom have been world champions. This is his eleventh world title contest.
But frank revelations came from Ruiz as he admitted that his enduring fighting spirit comes from his mother, Gladys Martinez Morales, “a lady but a fighter” who held down three jobs to raise her young Puerto Rican family with dignity. Yet the family’s treatment in the US left Ruiz with an anger he uses even today.
“My mother did what she could to put food on the table, worked in the fish market, held down three jobs, raised us on her own, and had a fighting spirit.
"She taught us discipline and gave us pride and made us special,” said Ruiz after a workout on Wednesday. He looked lean, and will come into the ring at around 225lbs.
“Anger has been a part of my life, stuff that has happened in my life, I control it and come fight time I go out there and unleash it,” he said.
Ruiz, who has a 44-8-1 record, but has lost three of his last six contests, has held the WBA crown twice. Two of those last three bouts were against 7ft Russian man-mountain Valuev.
Both of those contests, were lost, marginally, on points. Haye, once the undisputed world cruiserweight champion, has had only three heavyweight contests.
David Haye v John Ruiz is live in HD on Sky Box Office on Saturday night
Source: telegraph.co.uk
Promoter Frank Warren "Doesn't See Haye Even Making A Dent" In Either Klitschko Brother -- Eastside Boxing
By James Slater, Eastside Boxing
Like him or not, you have to admit that U.K boxing promoter Frank Warren speaks his mind. Known for not always saying good things about fighters, even the men he has worked with, Warren has come out swinging at WBA heavyweight champ David Haye; at least that's the way the things Warren has had to say will most likely be interpreted by Haye and his fans.
Speaking with Mail online, Warren began by saying something that practically everyone agrees with - how a Haye-Nikolai Valuev rematch, which has been talked about, is a very bad idea indeed!
"If Haye beats [John] Ruiz, then Sauerland [promotions], who he's signed a deal with, will enforce a rematch with Valuev," Warren told Mail online. "I think that would be a disaster for boxing, but the rematch clause is there in the contract. It was a dreadful fight the first time around, I don't care what anyone says.
"Either guy could have been given the decision, it was the most boring fight ever."
Though Warren is absolutely correct when he says a Haye-Valuev II would be bad for boxing, it is questionable whether or not the promoter would be saying all the negative things he is saying about Haye's winning performance from last November if he was promoting the charismatic Londoner. Some experts, after all, lauded the way Haye showed patience, stuck to a game-plan and outboxed the giant to win on points.
Still, though some did admire Haye's maturity and boxing skill, we don't want to see a part-two; as Warren states. What we do want is for Haye to face one or both of the Klitschko brothers. Warren is most doubtful Haye would have much of a chance against either man if he does fight them, however.
"The only way for Haye to get to fight one of the Klitschkos is to pay Valuev to step aside," Warren said. "Valuev will then meet the winner. I don't know about Haye being the saviour of the heavyweight division - I want to see him fight the Klitschkos first. The Klitschkos would be too big and too strong for Haye. I don't see him beating either of them.
"I don't see Haye even making a dent. If Monte Barrett can put Haye on the floor then the Klitschkos certainly can."
It's likely a good number of readers of this web site will also agree with what Warren has had to say about Haye and his chances against Waldimir and Vitali. Most fans do seem to think the brothers would be too strong for the former cruiserweight king. But that's the thing: we all want to find out for sure! Haye has done so much talking about what he will do to the Klitschkos, we NEED to see if he can back it up.
Needless to say, if Haye can do so; Warren, and a good many other experts, will have to admit that they were very wrong about the reigning WBA heavyweight champ and his talents. But will we ever get to see the fights? Certainly not if John Ruiz beats Haye on Saturday night in Manchester. And it seems more and more fans are beginning to feel this could happen.
Source: eastsideboxing.com
Like him or not, you have to admit that U.K boxing promoter Frank Warren speaks his mind. Known for not always saying good things about fighters, even the men he has worked with, Warren has come out swinging at WBA heavyweight champ David Haye; at least that's the way the things Warren has had to say will most likely be interpreted by Haye and his fans.
Speaking with Mail online, Warren began by saying something that practically everyone agrees with - how a Haye-Nikolai Valuev rematch, which has been talked about, is a very bad idea indeed!
"If Haye beats [John] Ruiz, then Sauerland [promotions], who he's signed a deal with, will enforce a rematch with Valuev," Warren told Mail online. "I think that would be a disaster for boxing, but the rematch clause is there in the contract. It was a dreadful fight the first time around, I don't care what anyone says.
"Either guy could have been given the decision, it was the most boring fight ever."
Though Warren is absolutely correct when he says a Haye-Valuev II would be bad for boxing, it is questionable whether or not the promoter would be saying all the negative things he is saying about Haye's winning performance from last November if he was promoting the charismatic Londoner. Some experts, after all, lauded the way Haye showed patience, stuck to a game-plan and outboxed the giant to win on points.
Still, though some did admire Haye's maturity and boxing skill, we don't want to see a part-two; as Warren states. What we do want is for Haye to face one or both of the Klitschko brothers. Warren is most doubtful Haye would have much of a chance against either man if he does fight them, however."The only way for Haye to get to fight one of the Klitschkos is to pay Valuev to step aside," Warren said. "Valuev will then meet the winner. I don't know about Haye being the saviour of the heavyweight division - I want to see him fight the Klitschkos first. The Klitschkos would be too big and too strong for Haye. I don't see him beating either of them.
"I don't see Haye even making a dent. If Monte Barrett can put Haye on the floor then the Klitschkos certainly can."
It's likely a good number of readers of this web site will also agree with what Warren has had to say about Haye and his chances against Waldimir and Vitali. Most fans do seem to think the brothers would be too strong for the former cruiserweight king. But that's the thing: we all want to find out for sure! Haye has done so much talking about what he will do to the Klitschkos, we NEED to see if he can back it up.
Needless to say, if Haye can do so; Warren, and a good many other experts, will have to admit that they were very wrong about the reigning WBA heavyweight champ and his talents. But will we ever get to see the fights? Certainly not if John Ruiz beats Haye on Saturday night in Manchester. And it seems more and more fans are beginning to feel this could happen.
Source: eastsideboxing.com
Selasa, 30 Maret 2010
DAVID HAYE WON'T LET DREAM GO -- Daily Star
By Kevin Francis, DailyStar.co.uk
DAVID Haye aims to keep on living the dream when he makes the first defence of his WBA world heavyweight title on Saturday.
‘The Hayemaker’ meets American John Ruiz at Manchester’s MEN Arena – and he has no intention of relinquishing the title he always knew he would win.
He said: “I told everybody since I was a kid that I would become world heavyweight champion.
“When you have a dream like that, you go for it, and once you achieve that dream there is no way that you want to let it go.”
Haye knows that Ruiz will present a vastly different kind of proposition than giant Russian Nikolai Valuev, the man from whom he gained the title in November.
And he said: “In that fight the fear was a 23st, 7ft 2in Russian freak and now the fear is losing to Ruiz.
“But that won’t happen. I have got to get my head straight and cannot underestimate John Ruiz. I have got to be on my game.”
The 29-year-old certainly looks in tremendous shape and he said: “I need to be, too. Ruiz has great experience of the heavyweight division.
“He knocked down Holyfield, who was never knocked down in 24 rounds with Lennox Lewis and 14 rounds with Mike Tyson.
“I have seen him try to break people’s arms and he is a rough character.
“He has only been stopped once in 50-odd fights and that was early in his career.
A full house is expected and Haye said: “People in Manchester appreciate good boxing.
“It is a treat for them to have the world heavyweight champion.”
The Haye-Ruiz fight will be screened live in HD by Sky Box Office on Saturday night.
Source: dailystar.co.uk
DAVID Haye aims to keep on living the dream when he makes the first defence of his WBA world heavyweight title on Saturday.
‘The Hayemaker’ meets American John Ruiz at Manchester’s MEN Arena – and he has no intention of relinquishing the title he always knew he would win.
He said: “I told everybody since I was a kid that I would become world heavyweight champion. “When you have a dream like that, you go for it, and once you achieve that dream there is no way that you want to let it go.”
Haye knows that Ruiz will present a vastly different kind of proposition than giant Russian Nikolai Valuev, the man from whom he gained the title in November. “But that won’t happen. I have got to get my head straight and cannot underestimate John Ruiz. I have got to be on my game.”
The 29-year-old certainly looks in tremendous shape and he said: “I need to be, too. Ruiz has great experience of the heavyweight division.
“He knocked down Holyfield, who was never knocked down in 24 rounds with Lennox Lewis and 14 rounds with Mike Tyson.
“I have seen him try to break people’s arms and he is a rough character.
“He has only been stopped once in 50-odd fights and that was early in his career.
A full house is expected and Haye said: “People in Manchester appreciate good boxing.
“It is a treat for them to have the world heavyweight champion.”
The Haye-Ruiz fight will be screened live in HD by Sky Box Office on Saturday night.
Source: dailystar.co.uk
David Haye expects to 'take a few' against John Ruiz in title defence -- The Guardian
By Kevin Mitchell, Guardian.co.uk
David Haye concedes he will "take a few" when the American brawler John Ruiz challenges him for his WBA heavyweight title in Manchester on Saturday, and insists this will be "the toughest fight of my life".
Yet the champion could hardly have looked more relaxed about the prospect of a fight so diametrically opposed in nearly every respect to the night in Nuremberg last November, when he waltzed around the 7ft, 22st Nikolai Valuev to win the title on points.
"Normally he goes in for a grab," Haye said of Ruiz, as he prepared for a light training session in his London gym. "Now his trainer's saying, 'Don't grab, just let your hands go.' The past three or four months that's been drilled into him. I've got my spies out there, so I know what he's doing.
"I will be able to land my shots quicker than he will. He's not a slow heavyweight, he's got an effective double-jab. I've seen him use that to break people's rhythm down. But I've prepared for that. I've prepared harder for this fight than any other fight."
"Fingers crossed, Ruiz is thinking that same thing. He'll be thinking that, coming forward, getting through the early onslaught, he'll try to get me in the second half of the fight. But he doesn't realise that early onslaught is going to be so extensive that he'll be lucky to be there for the second half of the fight."
When Audley Harrison, who fights for the European title on Friday night against a former conqueror, Michael Sprott, said this week he thought Haye looked a pound or two overweight, it didn't resonate with anyone familiar with the champion's meticulous preparation. He looks as trim and as vibrant as he did before Valuev, but has made technical adjustments for Ruiz, who is roughly his own size.
His preparation last time was eccentric in the extreme as his trainer and manager, Adam Booth, found a pair of platform 'Goth' boots on which to perch, to simulate Valuev's height.
"I'm going back to what I used to do," Haye said. "This time, I'm punching at the same angles I have done since I was a kid. Adam's pretty straight-talking. He doesn't say things he doesn't believe. And he says I'm punching faster and harder than I did in the last fight and the one before that [against Monte Barrett].
"Adam's really happy where I'm at at the moment, and so am I. I feel this is my time. Come fight night, I will feel pretty much like I'm the finished product. Everything seems to have come together at the right time."
Source: guardian.co.uk
David Haye concedes he will "take a few" when the American brawler John Ruiz challenges him for his WBA heavyweight title in Manchester on Saturday, and insists this will be "the toughest fight of my life".
Yet the champion could hardly have looked more relaxed about the prospect of a fight so diametrically opposed in nearly every respect to the night in Nuremberg last November, when he waltzed around the 7ft, 22st Nikolai Valuev to win the title on points.
"Normally he goes in for a grab," Haye said of Ruiz, as he prepared for a light training session in his London gym. "Now his trainer's saying, 'Don't grab, just let your hands go.' The past three or four months that's been drilled into him. I've got my spies out there, so I know what he's doing."I'll take a few. This fight, you can't assume you're not going to get whacked. He's been there a long time, 54 fights, he knows how to get into range and punch. If he lets his hands go, it will suit me. You can't hit someone if they're holding on to you. If he's standing there trying to exchange with me, as soon as his hands come away from his face, it gives me a target to hit.
"I will be able to land my shots quicker than he will. He's not a slow heavyweight, he's got an effective double-jab. I've seen him use that to break people's rhythm down. But I've prepared for that. I've prepared harder for this fight than any other fight."Haye thinks Ruiz will make the mistake of putting too much store in his only loss, a stoppage in five rounds against Carl Thompson in 2004. And he figures it will play into his hands on Saturday.
"His whole game plan is to smother me, get on top of me and try to get me into a dogfight, then hope I run out of steam – like pretty much all of my opponents. They look at the only loss I've suffered and say, 'OK, he ran out of steam there, he must have problems with his stamina.'
When Audley Harrison, who fights for the European title on Friday night against a former conqueror, Michael Sprott, said this week he thought Haye looked a pound or two overweight, it didn't resonate with anyone familiar with the champion's meticulous preparation. He looks as trim and as vibrant as he did before Valuev, but has made technical adjustments for Ruiz, who is roughly his own size.
His preparation last time was eccentric in the extreme as his trainer and manager, Adam Booth, found a pair of platform 'Goth' boots on which to perch, to simulate Valuev's height.
"I'm going back to what I used to do," Haye said. "This time, I'm punching at the same angles I have done since I was a kid. Adam's pretty straight-talking. He doesn't say things he doesn't believe. And he says I'm punching faster and harder than I did in the last fight and the one before that [against Monte Barrett].
"Adam's really happy where I'm at at the moment, and so am I. I feel this is my time. Come fight night, I will feel pretty much like I'm the finished product. Everything seems to have come together at the right time."
Source: guardian.co.uk
David Haye v John Ruiz could pave the way for Nikolai Valuev rematch or Klitschkos -- Telegraph
By Gareth A Davies, Telegraph.co.uk
Same old, same old, they'll say. Yet it may happen. When Haye outpointed the 7ft 2in 'Beast from the East' to win the WBA heavyweight title last November, there was a rematch clause in the contract, and it is understood that Valuev is holding out for that fight.
Yet Haye still talks up the Klitschkos, insisting that Vitali Klitschko will not contemplate retirement until he has faced off against the south Londoner inside the ring. The Ukrainian veteran and his brother Wladimir are being lined up as future opponents for Haye - if he can beat Ruiz at Manchester's MEN Arena on Saturday night in a contest which is live on Sky Box Office.
Vitali has won four times since returning from a near four-year layoff caused by repeated injury problems. At 38, Haye believes he won't hang up his gloves until the pair have met. Haye wants the contest at Wembley, although there will be a tussle over it going to Germany. “After what happened the last time, you think we would let them organise it in a stadium over there?“ Berndt Bonte told me.
The feeling in the Klitschko camp is that they have no problem filling 50,000 seater stadiums in Germany, and command a huge television audience. That goes a long way in setting up the costings for a superfight. Haye may have to go, unwillingly, to Germany
. Or he may not go at all.
Haye also believes that money isn't the only reason that any showdown with the WBC king should happen in England. Haye played down the feel in German stadiums. "The atmosphere at German arenas is not that great. I know people who went to see Wladimir fight Ruslan Chagaev in Germany and they said you could hear a pin drop."
Elswehere, Carl Froch has backed Haye to walk through Ruiz on Saturday night. The undefeated WBC super-middleweight champion expects the Hayemaker to retain his WBA world heavyweight title.
Froch, currently preparing to take on Mikkel Kessler at the end of April, expects Haye to have little trouble and is even expecting him to become the first man in 55 fights to stop Ruiz inside the distance.
"He's a great fighter, very fast, very skilful, very tough - but people have got question marks about his chin; he's been put down a couple of times as an amateur and a professional," he said.
"Will he beat Ruiz? Of course he will. I think he will walk through Ruiz and then hopefully he'll get a shot at a Klitschko - and I'll give you a prediction on the Klitschko fight when it gets made."
"He's too fast, too skilful and if he needs to, David can stand there - he's proven now he can hold a shot," he said.
"He's very fit, I think he's put in the extra work he needed to put in to make him a tougher, more durable fighter. He's developed as a professional, he's big and strong at heavyweight.”
"He's not big, big but he's by no means the smallest heavyweight champion of the world we've ever had."
Source: telegraph.co.uk
Same old, same old, they'll say. Yet it may happen. When Haye outpointed the 7ft 2in 'Beast from the East' to win the WBA heavyweight title last November, there was a rematch clause in the contract, and it is understood that Valuev is holding out for that fight.
Yet Haye still talks up the Klitschkos, insisting that Vitali Klitschko will not contemplate retirement until he has faced off against the south Londoner inside the ring. The Ukrainian veteran and his brother Wladimir are being lined up as future opponents for Haye - if he can beat Ruiz at Manchester's MEN Arena on Saturday night in a contest which is live on Sky Box Office.
Vitali has won four times since returning from a near four-year layoff caused by repeated injury problems. At 38, Haye believes he won't hang up his gloves until the pair have met. Haye wants the contest at Wembley, although there will be a tussle over it going to Germany. “After what happened the last time, you think we would let them organise it in a stadium over there?“ Berndt Bonte told me.
The feeling in the Klitschko camp is that they have no problem filling 50,000 seater stadiums in Germany, and command a huge television audience. That goes a long way in setting up the costings for a superfight. Haye may have to go, unwillingly, to Germany. Or he may not go at all. Haye also believes that money isn't the only reason that any showdown with the WBC king should happen in England. Haye played down the feel in German stadiums. "The atmosphere at German arenas is not that great. I know people who went to see Wladimir fight Ruslan Chagaev in Germany and they said you could hear a pin drop."
Elswehere, Carl Froch has backed Haye to walk through Ruiz on Saturday night. The undefeated WBC super-middleweight champion expects the Hayemaker to retain his WBA world heavyweight title.
Froch, currently preparing to take on Mikkel Kessler at the end of April, expects Haye to have little trouble and is even expecting him to become the first man in 55 fights to stop Ruiz inside the distance.
"He's a great fighter, very fast, very skilful, very tough - but people have got question marks about his chin; he's been put down a couple of times as an amateur and a professional," he said.
"Will he beat Ruiz? Of course he will. I think he will walk through Ruiz and then hopefully he'll get a shot at a Klitschko - and I'll give you a prediction on the Klitschko fight when it gets made."
"He's too fast, too skilful and if he needs to, David can stand there - he's proven now he can hold a shot," he said.
"He's very fit, I think he's put in the extra work he needed to put in to make him a tougher, more durable fighter. He's developed as a professional, he's big and strong at heavyweight.”
"He's not big, big but he's by no means the smallest heavyweight champion of the world we've ever had."
Source: telegraph.co.uk
Senin, 29 Maret 2010
Heavyweight Roundup: What To Expect From The Best Of The Big Boys In The Near Future -- Eastside Boxing
By Paul McCreath, Eastside Boxing
Wlad Klitschko - Now that Wlad has finished off Eddie Chambers with a devastating last round KO his next match should be against his"other" mandatory, the Russian Alex Povetkin. But will Alex take the fight? His new trainer Teddy Atlas did not sound too positive on Friday night. Meanwhile the only fight that might prove very risky for Wlad and of great interest to the general public would be against David Haye. Will we see it? Who knows? Between Wlad and brother Vitali they have pretty much cleaned out the division of any true threats. The brothers have decided that if either one meets Haye it will be Wlad. Barring an upset by Haye it looks like Wlad can rule the division for a long time yet. He just turned 34 but is showing no signs of deterioration. We may have to settle for a series of low risk fights like the past few defenses..
Vitali Klitschko
is now 38 years old and probably winding down his career as a champion. His next fight is a voluntary against Albert Sosnowski on May 29. Few expect Vitali to have many problems in that one. After that the pickings are slim. Odlanier Solis will be meeting 39 year old Ray Austin in an eliminator to determine the next mandatory for Vitali so the winner of that one could well be Vitali's last fight especially if it is Solis. I expect that we will see Vitali one or two more times in all and then he will retire.
David Haye has a bout this weekend against the veteran ex-champ John Ruiz. Providing he wins that one he has a contractual obligation to give the Russian giant Nicolay Valuev a rematch. After that would come the winner of the May 22 eliminator between Ruslan Chagaev and Kali Meehan. For a fighter who only fights about once a year that schedule is going to keep David busy for awhile. He would probably be favored to win all three matches but Chagaev could be a very tough one to overcome. Then there is the question of the unification match with Wlad. Does Haye really want this fight? He talks like he does but as we all know what David says he is going to do and what he does are frequently two different things. One obstacle to be overcome would be the alphabet boys and all those mandatories. It will be difficult to fit in the fight everyone wants and if it happens I doubt it will be until near year's end or early 2011.
Alex Povetkin won 2 eliminators over two years ago to earn a title shot and we are still waiting. Wlad is willing but first Alex got injured and then he began to realise, wisely I think, that he just wasn't ready to meet Wlad. Now he is healthy, more experienced and he has a new trainer. Will he finally take the fight? The thing is that while he would have a better chance now than he would have had two years ago he will still be a big underdog. He does have other alternatives. If he truly wants to win a title belt would he not have a better chance by waiting for a shot at David Haye or better still waiting for Vitali to retire (probably a shorter wait) so he can join the rush for his vacated title? It is not like he is going to starve if he decides to wait for a better opportunity. There is plenty of money for top 10 heavyweights in Europe.
Eddie Chambers is far from done after his loss to Wlad. While he is unlikely to ever overthrow either of the giant Klitschko brothers they will not be around for ever, especially Vitali. Eddie is not a true heavyweight but he can handle most of them anyway. He is only 27. He can hang around until he gets another title shot against someone more his own size. As long as he keeps busy the chances will come again perhaps in a return with Povetkin for Vitali's old belt when he retires. Eddie could even drop down to cruiser and maybe win a belt there but he would have to settle for less money. I doubt if we will see that.
John Ruiz goes into his April 3 fight with David Haye as a live underdog but I think that at 38 years of age this will finally be his last kick at the can. We have of course written him off many times before and he keeps coming back but it can't last forever.
Ruslan Chagaev will be a heavy favorite to defeat Kali Meehan which will then put him either into a title bout with David Haye or in a very good position to fight for the alphabet belt that Vitali will eventually vacate. We are going to hear more from Ruslan for sure. His only loss was to Wlad Klitschko and that is not such a bad thing.
Chris Arreola has a big bout coming up on April 24 against Tomasz Adamek. This is bound to lead to a title match for the winner. If it is Chris it might be more likely to be Wlad Klitschko or David Haye although there is a long line-up there. If Tomasz wins Vitali would maybe be the more likely opponent. This is a fight that could go either way and should be a good one.
Denis Boytsov at 24 is the youngest of the contenders and appears to be in no hurry. He is fast and hits hard. If advanced intelligently he has a very bright future. He will likely continue to gain experience for a year or two yet before he tries for a world title. A match for the Euro belt against the Harrison-Sprott winner would be a good next step for this young Russian.
Nicolay Valuev will probably get one last payday late this year against David Haye and that will be it. He is slipping and no longer as popular as earlier even in Europe. He missed his chance in turning down the fight with Vitali Klitschko. He would not likely have won but it would have paid very well.
Alex Dimitrenko has been out of action with an injury and needs to regroup after the bad loss to Eddie Chambers. A couple of tune-ups and then a challenge for the Euro belt would make sense. How about Dimitrenko vs Boytsov in a few months?
Tony Thompson is now 38 and time is running out. He will meet Jason Estrada on April 16 and that could lead to more paydays. He must stay busy and hope that one of the champions will be looking for a voluntary opponent sometime soon. Don't hold your breath.
Tomasz Adamek is a former champion at two weights who hopes to add the heavyweight crown as well. His April 24 bout with Chris Arreola will tell us if this is a realistic goal. I don't see him defeating either of the Klitschkos but once Vitali retires anything could happen. Give him a good chance against Chris.
Sam Peter is back in the mix after his recent KO win over Nagy Aguilera. He has lost a lot of weight and is probably as good as he ever was but still slow and limited technically. His power is his strength and his name is still well recognized so count him in somewhere. Wouldn't you love to see him fight either Chris Arreola or David Tua?
Ray Austin is a 39 year old retread who is just hanging on. He could upset an ill-conditioned Solis and that would get him another title bout but yikes ! Who would buy that. It is more likely that this will be his last good payday.
Odlanier Solis may have the best set of tools among all the challengers but he remains unproven and much too heavy. An impressive win over Austin could be a good move to change all that. We can only hope. He may get by Austin but I have my doubts that the weight will ever come off.
Juan Carlos Gomez, the former cruiser champ has become active again and he is still a pretty good fighter. He just won a bout last weekend and has two more tune-ups scheduled soon while he awaits a more meaningful match. At age 36 don't expect too much but he will be a useful gatekeeper for awhile yet.
David Tua would best be forgotten. He hasn't had a meaningful fight in over 5 years and is now 37 years old. His heart is not in it anymore. David will continue to meet modest opposition once or twice a year but will take no big fights. He meets Friday Ahunanya on March 31.
Former big names like James Toney, Hasim Rahman, Evander Holyfield, Shannon Briggs and others are still around with their delusions of reclaiming their one time prominence but their time is past. Evander is the best of the lot even at 46+ years mainly due to his dedication to training so he could get one more good payday but the rest are pretty much limited to the bush leagues of the sport now.
Albert Sosnowski will get his 15 minutes of fame and then revert to the Euro level competition again. He is a willing well conditioned fighter but not championship material. He meets Vitali on May 29.
That's about it unless Kevin Johnson decides to stop talking and start fighting. I doubt if we will see that either. At least we have some promising action coming up among the others in the division.
Source: eastsideboxing.com
Wlad Klitschko - Now that Wlad has finished off Eddie Chambers with a devastating last round KO his next match should be against his"other" mandatory, the Russian Alex Povetkin. But will Alex take the fight? His new trainer Teddy Atlas did not sound too positive on Friday night. Meanwhile the only fight that might prove very risky for Wlad and of great interest to the general public would be against David Haye. Will we see it? Who knows? Between Wlad and brother Vitali they have pretty much cleaned out the division of any true threats. The brothers have decided that if either one meets Haye it will be Wlad. Barring an upset by Haye it looks like Wlad can rule the division for a long time yet. He just turned 34 but is showing no signs of deterioration. We may have to settle for a series of low risk fights like the past few defenses.. is now 38 years old and probably winding down his career as a champion. His next fight is a voluntary against Albert Sosnowski on May 29. Few expect Vitali to have many problems in that one. After that the pickings are slim. Odlanier Solis will be meeting 39 year old Ray Austin in an eliminator to determine the next mandatory for Vitali so the winner of that one could well be Vitali's last fight especially if it is Solis. I expect that we will see Vitali one or two more times in all and then he will retire. David Haye has a bout this weekend against the veteran ex-champ John Ruiz. Providing he wins that one he has a contractual obligation to give the Russian giant Nicolay Valuev a rematch. After that would come the winner of the May 22 eliminator between Ruslan Chagaev and Kali Meehan. For a fighter who only fights about once a year that schedule is going to keep David busy for awhile. He would probably be favored to win all three matches but Chagaev could be a very tough one to overcome. Then there is the question of the unification match with Wlad. Does Haye really want this fight? He talks like he does but as we all know what David says he is going to do and what he does are frequently two different things. One obstacle to be overcome would be the alphabet boys and all those mandatories. It will be difficult to fit in the fight everyone wants and if it happens I doubt it will be until near year's end or early 2011.
Alex Povetkin won 2 eliminators over two years ago to earn a title shot and we are still waiting. Wlad is willing but first Alex got injured and then he began to realise, wisely I think, that he just wasn't ready to meet Wlad. Now he is healthy, more experienced and he has a new trainer. Will he finally take the fight? The thing is that while he would have a better chance now than he would have had two years ago he will still be a big underdog. He does have other alternatives. If he truly wants to win a title belt would he not have a better chance by waiting for a shot at David Haye or better still waiting for Vitali to retire (probably a shorter wait) so he can join the rush for his vacated title? It is not like he is going to starve if he decides to wait for a better opportunity. There is plenty of money for top 10 heavyweights in Europe.
Eddie Chambers is far from done after his loss to Wlad. While he is unlikely to ever overthrow either of the giant Klitschko brothers they will not be around for ever, especially Vitali. Eddie is not a true heavyweight but he can handle most of them anyway. He is only 27. He can hang around until he gets another title shot against someone more his own size. As long as he keeps busy the chances will come again perhaps in a return with Povetkin for Vitali's old belt when he retires. Eddie could even drop down to cruiser and maybe win a belt there but he would have to settle for less money. I doubt if we will see that.
John Ruiz goes into his April 3 fight with David Haye as a live underdog but I think that at 38 years of age this will finally be his last kick at the can. We have of course written him off many times before and he keeps coming back but it can't last forever.
Ruslan Chagaev will be a heavy favorite to defeat Kali Meehan which will then put him either into a title bout with David Haye or in a very good position to fight for the alphabet belt that Vitali will eventually vacate. We are going to hear more from Ruslan for sure. His only loss was to Wlad Klitschko and that is not such a bad thing.
Chris Arreola has a big bout coming up on April 24 against Tomasz Adamek. This is bound to lead to a title match for the winner. If it is Chris it might be more likely to be Wlad Klitschko or David Haye although there is a long line-up there. If Tomasz wins Vitali would maybe be the more likely opponent. This is a fight that could go either way and should be a good one.
Denis Boytsov at 24 is the youngest of the contenders and appears to be in no hurry. He is fast and hits hard. If advanced intelligently he has a very bright future. He will likely continue to gain experience for a year or two yet before he tries for a world title. A match for the Euro belt against the Harrison-Sprott winner would be a good next step for this young Russian.
Nicolay Valuev will probably get one last payday late this year against David Haye and that will be it. He is slipping and no longer as popular as earlier even in Europe. He missed his chance in turning down the fight with Vitali Klitschko. He would not likely have won but it would have paid very well.
Alex Dimitrenko has been out of action with an injury and needs to regroup after the bad loss to Eddie Chambers. A couple of tune-ups and then a challenge for the Euro belt would make sense. How about Dimitrenko vs Boytsov in a few months?
Tony Thompson is now 38 and time is running out. He will meet Jason Estrada on April 16 and that could lead to more paydays. He must stay busy and hope that one of the champions will be looking for a voluntary opponent sometime soon. Don't hold your breath.
Tomasz Adamek is a former champion at two weights who hopes to add the heavyweight crown as well. His April 24 bout with Chris Arreola will tell us if this is a realistic goal. I don't see him defeating either of the Klitschkos but once Vitali retires anything could happen. Give him a good chance against Chris.
Sam Peter is back in the mix after his recent KO win over Nagy Aguilera. He has lost a lot of weight and is probably as good as he ever was but still slow and limited technically. His power is his strength and his name is still well recognized so count him in somewhere. Wouldn't you love to see him fight either Chris Arreola or David Tua?
Ray Austin is a 39 year old retread who is just hanging on. He could upset an ill-conditioned Solis and that would get him another title bout but yikes ! Who would buy that. It is more likely that this will be his last good payday.
Odlanier Solis may have the best set of tools among all the challengers but he remains unproven and much too heavy. An impressive win over Austin could be a good move to change all that. We can only hope. He may get by Austin but I have my doubts that the weight will ever come off.
Juan Carlos Gomez, the former cruiser champ has become active again and he is still a pretty good fighter. He just won a bout last weekend and has two more tune-ups scheduled soon while he awaits a more meaningful match. At age 36 don't expect too much but he will be a useful gatekeeper for awhile yet.
David Tua would best be forgotten. He hasn't had a meaningful fight in over 5 years and is now 37 years old. His heart is not in it anymore. David will continue to meet modest opposition once or twice a year but will take no big fights. He meets Friday Ahunanya on March 31.
Former big names like James Toney, Hasim Rahman, Evander Holyfield, Shannon Briggs and others are still around with their delusions of reclaiming their one time prominence but their time is past. Evander is the best of the lot even at 46+ years mainly due to his dedication to training so he could get one more good payday but the rest are pretty much limited to the bush leagues of the sport now.
Albert Sosnowski will get his 15 minutes of fame and then revert to the Euro level competition again. He is a willing well conditioned fighter but not championship material. He meets Vitali on May 29.
That's about it unless Kevin Johnson decides to stop talking and start fighting. I doubt if we will see that either. At least we have some promising action coming up among the others in the division.
Source: eastsideboxing.com
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