He may have dethroned Goliath but David Haye is now embarking on an even more dangerous venture against John Ruiz
For the many who tuned into the intriguing Haye vs. Valuev/ David vs. Goliath WBA Heavyweight title fight on November 7th 2009, it was a rather anticlimactic contest. The charismatic Englishman did just about what he had to do to gain a points decision over the 7 foot 2 inch giant and despite one huge ‘Haymaker’ in the 12th round that had the Russian staggering around the ring like a drunk being slung out of the pub at 3am, the fight passed by with little to report.
Haye wisely stayed out of reach against his woefully slow opponent and was content to steal rounds with short bursts of punches before retreating to the outskirts of the ring. For his part, the enormous Valuev showed that he is perhaps the worst heavyweight champion in recent memory. However, with the overhyped Goliath now slain, the new Champ faces an entirely different proposition in American John Ruiz in just his forth ever heavyweight clash.
Haye vs. Ruiz Preview
We can forgive Haye for the boring, raiding tactics he displayed against Valuev because how else should one tackle a fighter almost a foot taller and over seven stone heavier? But against Ruiz, that will not be enough and Haye and his astute trainer Adam Booth will have to formulate an entirely different strategy if they hope to retain the title they claimed in Nuremberg. Perhaps the biggest danger for the talented Haye is complacency.
Many believe the Englishman is looking past Ruiz and at a lucrative unification clash with one of the Klitschko brothers but the “Quiet Man” is not one to be underestimated. With a modest record of 44 (30) – 8 – 1, Ruiz is an experienced and savvy veteran of the ring who has been in with the very best heavyweights of the era. He has taken on Roy Jones Junior, James Toney, Ruslan Chagaev and even managed to floor (if not KO) the great Evander Holyfield – a feat which proved too much for both Lenox Lewis and Mike Tyson in four fights (three and a half if you take the ear biting into account).
My point is that despite some mediocre and rather boring fights in the past, Ruiz is certainly no mug and he looked particularly sharp on the Haye vs. Valuev undercard on route to a seventh round TKO win over Adnan Serin. Haye may have used his cruiserweight size and blistering speed to keep away from Valuev but Ruiz is a lot smaller, a lot busier and he throws a lot more punches. He also has a great chin and a high work rate.
The “Quiet Man” might not have massive one-punch power but he will throw plenty of shots and if he can catch Haye clean on the chin, the likelihood is that Haye will go over. After all, Haye has been put down by cruiserweights on more than one occasion and was brutally knocked out by fellow Brit Carl Thompson (a man not renowned as the hardest hitter in boxing) in his only loss.
There also remain questions about Haye’s stamina as he has only been 12 rounds twice due to his immense knock power finishing fights inside the distance for him. He answered plenty of questions against Valuev with regard to his tactical nous but although he went 12 rounds with the giant; he didn’t have to throw all that many shots or work overly hard due to Valuev’s lack of speed.
Ruiz though, will make Haye work and it will be interesting to see how Haye deals with a man who like to get up close and personal as Ruiz does. Haye may be a fast and aggressive counterpuncher but in Ruiz, he meets a heavyweight that will show no fear of him and a heavyweight with enough power to legitimately believe that he can hurt and even stop his younger foe.
Haye vs. Ruiz Prediction
Haye appears to be on the crest of a wave with a golden future in front of him. He calls himself the “Saviour of the Heavyweight” division while his Golden Boy promoters believe that the good looking and exciting Englishman can be the new face of the heavyweight division. However, Ruiz is the perfect yardstick by which to measure Haye’s true credentials as a heavyweight and there is no doubt that the new WBA Champ will be in for a tough night in the M.E.N Arena in Manchester, England; particularly in the early going.
I see a tentative start for the first few rounds while both fighters feel each other out and by the halfway stage; Ruiz might be edging the contest in the judge’s eyes by coming forward more and displaying more aggression. However, in his first heavyweight title defense in front of a home crowd, it is difficult to see Haye loosing the belt in his first outing. As they say in boxing, “Speed Kills” and speed is something Haye has in abundance.
In the second half of the fight, Haye will begin catching the American with his trademark Hayemakers and sooner or later, the fast, accurate, powerful punches will take their toll on the challenger. Ruiz may be too proud to go down but I predict a late TKO stoppage win for the Champ as the referee jumps in to stop Haye inflicting more punishment. For Ruiz, it will be the end of the line as a title contender (though we have said that before) and for Haye, bring on the Klitschko’s and world domination!
