Cruiserweight
12 Rounds AND 15 Rounds
*sigh*...this is one time Im gonna go against my old school.
Jersey Joe was a phenom, but I dont give it to him against Haye.
Although he was used to fighting longer rounds (15), there are some glaring points I would have to make.
Joe was used to fighting a smaller brand of heavyweight, which would basically equate to what Haye's best weight was, light heavy.
Haye is one of the few folks who have one punch knockout AND the speed and timing to deliver it, especially at light heavy, where I am going to give him a damn good chance against anyone, he is physically too superior to most.
Not that he is crafty or skilled, he isnt....at all. He would get schooled most of the night....as he does against alot of his opponents....
...until that one punch out of nowhere that he always manages to throw sets the fight in the other direction, and rather quickly. Haye hits hard enough that once he lands it..you cant recover, even after going to your corner.
I gotta give this to Haye. Please excuse me while I go vomit.
I agree with what you are saying about Haye being a live opponent but I would still favour Walcott.
I agree that Walcott didn't fight anybody with the combination of traits that Haye has but when did Haye last fight somebody as fast, mobile, crafty and physically fit as Walcott? The answer is he hasn't.
Walcott is underrated I believe, he was a skilled fighter, very athletic, had a great left hook and although he could be taken out by big punchers he was tough.
He managed to hold on to his attributes and win the heavyweight title at 37, which back in the early 50's was very old for a fighter.
This could be a chess match, I think they are evenly matched in terms of speed and Haye's size advantage would only be minimal. Haye has the power to knock Walcott out but I also believe Walcott could knock Haye out.
The deciding factor would be Walcott's intelligence as a boxer, Haye has a tendency to either go for the KO and leave himself wide open, or as with Valuev box over-cautious.
If Haye was too cautious Walcott outworks him and takes a decision, if Haye opens up Walcott gets through with a left hook and ends it. I will go for the latter.
Walcott KO7.
Walcott by easy KO. Under 5 rounds. I think that sometimes Walcott doesn't get the respect he deserves. He was a master boxer with a big punch. Haye doesn't have anywhere near the skills that Walcott had. Only a bigger mouth.
Walcott would have been superior to Haye in almost every comparable category. Joe would have been the heavy favorite and David a distinct underdog.
Jersey Joe Walcott would beat Haye down big time. Walcott would knock him out easily.
Walcott has way superior skills and smarts. Haye would get KO'd inside 5 rounds.
Walcott is too crafty and good for the likes of Haye and would win by K.O.
Jersey Joe Walcott vs David Haye
Cruiserweight
12 Rounds AND 15 Rounds
