Quote Originally Posted by marbleheadmaui View Post
Nice post.

Here's how I see it.

13 was life and death with a journeyman in Barret, he threw, ahem, 13 punches a round against a lumbering, incompetent giant and half the ringside sportswriters had him losing. John Ruiz hadn't had a quality win in five years and Audley was, well Audley. The Valuev fight really bugs me. 13 was entirely too willing to leave his fate in the hands of the judges. I mean seriously, 13 punches THROWN a round? I can't come up with a big fight where the LOSER threw so infrequently.

Wlad's chin is Wlad's chin, but when is the last time anyone got close? He's improved over the last five years to an incredible degree. While 13 has fought four times in three years and beaten one ranked guy, Wlad has fought six times in the same period and KO'd four ranked guys and Hasim Rachman.

I just don't think this fight is competitive.

True Wlads chin has not been tested seriously for some time. Have to give him credit because he has made his opponents ineffective. On that note how many of his opponents have been criticised for coming in seriously overweight thinking that it will level the playing field?

On Hayes inactivity i am leaning towards giving him the benefit of the doubt and say he has been letting his body adapt to the weight and has allowed himself to do it properly. Look how RJJ bulked looked very impressive but would not have been good long term.

I agree with all your points regarding Hayes HW opponents. There are a lot of negative points to look at i supppose i was concentrating on the positives to justify my prediction. I do genuinely believe Haye beat valuev but some will say otherwise i just cant see it.....but not the topic at hand so i'll leave it lol

I see it being competitive while it lasts, 2 well trained athletes confident in their ability and both with a winners mindset and each showing a strong desire to get the win.