Klitschko the king by Glenn McCrory. Haye carries our hopes

[Faulks]

Vitali does enough, but Haye carries our hopes in 2010

 

Glenn McCrory

 

It's all too easy to criticise Vitali Klitschko, but what he proved on Saturday night is that he is top man in the heavyweight division.

 

It also proved that Kevin Johnson had nothing whatsoever except a big mouth - and one that got bigger every time he got hit with a right!

 

I wouldn't say too much against Klitschko because he did exactly what he had to do and exactly as we all thought he would do. He is a ring general, he took the centre of the ring and control of the fight and pretty much battered Johnson.

Klitschko: did what he had to do against Johnson

 

Klitschko: did what he had to do against Johnson

 

What Klitschko does might not be as exciting as we would like, but he does it very, very well. It is indeed going to take a very, very good fighter to topple him.

 

Hopefully, that will be David Haye. There's no doubt David has the ability and personality to light up the heavyweights, but let's not get carried away - we are only talking about potential at the moment.

Encouragement

 

Yes, he showed us smart and cunning tactics to beat Nikolai Valuev but to my mind didn't really show us he can fight in this division. John Ruiz is next and that is a great fight for him that will tell us a lot more about David as a heavyweight.

 

There's no doubt David Haye has the ability and personality to light up the heavyweights, but let's not get carried away - we are only talking about potential at the moment.

 

Ruiz is a tough kid and should not be overlooked. He will be there in front of Haye for 12 rounds and the question will be can he get rid of him? If he can, then it really sets up the Klitschko fight.

 

And let's be honest, it is great that we finally have a challenger to Vitali. Even though there are still questions to be answered, Haye is the only real threat to him other than his brother, Wladimir, who he is never ever going to fight.

 

There were also one or two signs of encouragement for our boy in Berne as well. I thought there was a little suggestion that every now and then, Klitschko struggled with Johnson's speed. Haye also has confidence in his own ability and that is one thing that disappeared from Johnson as soon as the bell sounded.

 

What resulted was a typical, systematic dismantling of another American heavyweight. What will come as we go into a new year and a new decade is the promise of live challenger to the current king Klitschko, which is something we can all look forward to.

[Faulks]

Good article, Glenn speaks a lot of sense on this occasion.

 

Haye has speed and speed kills but Vitali is very very strong in the ring. Vitali can be stopped though Haye would have to stay out of his way and keep on hitting him with the bombs he has in his toolkit.

 

Vitali marks up as well, You never know in boxing.. Lets see how Ruiz does against Haye then we'l be in a better position to judge

[WelshDevilRob]

Good balanced article from Glenn.

 

Like he says, we will know more about Haye at this weight against the ageing but awkward stalwart John Ruiz.

 

I think Haye will get Ruiz out of there but its not an easy thing to achieve unless your Tua.

[Otley Snr]

Ruiz is a good fight for Haye.

 

Ruiz has been around the block and in his last fight looked fragile with cuts. I can see Haye stopping Ruiz inside 5 rounds.

 

Job Bisuit (Hopefully ticket prices are reasonable and I might go)!!!

 

eh eh!!

[vovchanchyn_uki]

If Ruiz uses his punch and grab style against haye, stays way out of range when he's not throwing, throw his rights and clinch, repeat he could make it a hard fight. And Ruiz does have some decent pop, i expect Haye will win but i wouldn't be shocked if john pulled an upset.

[vikinghero]

Vitali just seems unbeatable these days. I really dont want to be Haye. He knows he's gonna get hit, the question is, how strong is his chin really?