Haye vs Goliath

Those unimaginative chaps in promotions have called this potentially exiciting and momentous fight, ‘David v Goliath’. They’ve managed to make me yawn before the first bell. Cliche’s in toe, David of course went on to found a city and a holy land. Goliath can be heard singing a Tom Wait lament while crying into his warm beer.
If we have to go with the quasi-biblical theme, I would put Haye in the role of Goliath. The size of his talent, the stun of his speed, the breadth of his skill and the valour in his heart make him the giant in this scenario.

Despite his size, Valuev has all the presence and charisma of a Lada made out of unsugared porridge. Size has often been overcome by skill, talent and determination. Valuev has already been beaten by a smaller man that Haye. Other giants have fallen to small men too,  the huge Jess Willard lost a fight to a 5ft 11in Tom McMahon. Another large lump Primo Carnera lost to a 5ft 10 in Jim Maloney.

Haye is an exciting fighter. I haven’t yet felt the need to turn a David Haye fight off because the ring floor logo’s have become a pleasant distraction. I have never seen a boxer move as slowly as Valuev, though one of his steps takes him a long way. Or any fighter throw so few punches.

Yes Valuev has the edge in experience bith in rounds boxed and titles encounters but Haye simply has more ways to win. He can outwork, beat to the punch, out maneuvure and out gun the cumbersome Russian.

The size and weight of Valuev is less of an inhibiting factor for Haye to deal with then Haye’s speed, power, skill and dynamism is for Valuev.