Wladimir Klitschko Dismisses Haye, Names Potential Opponents for Next Fight
by Scott Christ on Jul 5, 2011 8:17 PM EDT
in Boxing News Analysis
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World heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko has dismissed the idea of fighting David Haye again, and named some potential opponents for his next fight, which should come before the end of the year barring any injuries or other setbacks. Here's what he said to Sports Illustrated:
"There are a lot of guys out there for me to fight," Klitschko said. "Alexander Povetkin, Dereck Chisora, Denis Boytsov, Tyson Fury. I don't need David Haye now. You know, he doesn't know how to fight at this level. He doesn't understand it. ... He's the type of fighter who fights great in the gym, but psychologically he couldn't handle it when it got real. There was too much public pressure on him."
Klitschko desperately wants another fight in the U.S. -- he hasn't fought here since defeating (Sultan) Ibragimov at Madison Square Garden -- and says he has the "perfect" opponent to face in his return: American Chris Arreola.
Klitschko (56-3, 49 KO) won't be short on potential suitors, but you'll have to forgive boxing fans if they don't exactly get excited over this list. Boytsov is a good fighter, but more or less still a prospect. Povetkin has twice signed to fight Klitschko and bailed on both occasions. Chisora wasn't received warmly when Klitschko signed to fight him before, and a win over Tyson Fury -- who himself is years away from being ready for Wladimir, if he ever could be -- isn't likely to make that any more appealing.
Arreola (32-2, 28 KO) isn't much different a story, sadly. This is really a case of the Klitschkos simply being too good, too big, too strong, too smart for anyone out there. But Arreola does provide decent fights pretty much every time out. We saw Vitali demolish him in 2009, but Arreola was still game the whole way through, and he's now around 30 pounds lighter than he was then, and has obviously started taking himself and his career more seriously.
Honestly, I'm all for the Arreola fight. I want to see it as much as I want to see any potential Wladimir fight, which is not to say I'm dreading fights with the Klitschko brothers, but rather that I'm pretty certain the end result isn't changing no matter who they fight.
It does seem like Wladimir vs Arreola could in fact be coming next for the champ, so here's the question: Are you interested in that matchup?
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Arreola vs. Povetkin
I’d like to see Arreola fight Povektin, winner gets Wlad. It would be a good scrap, and the winner would be at least a somewhat legit challenger.
I’d like to see Povetkin do a lot of things but Teddy Atlas says he’s not ready to do much more than fight D-level guys or dudes without licenses in barns.
Bad Left Hook
"To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day..."
Yeah, that is unfortunate.
Arreola vs. Helenius? Helenius was at least willing to fight the lumbering carcass of Sam Peter, so at least he’s not a complete vagina. The heavyweights suck such ass, it’s almost impossible to think of two guys who would make a compelling scrap.
it’s almost impossible to think of two guys who would make a compelling scrap.
If he doesn’t retire because Wlad won’t fight him, I’ll take Haye vs. Adamek, regardless of the outcome of Adamek vs. Vitali.
Boxing writer: "Iran, what are you going to do when you retire?"
Iran Barkley: "Rob your house"
+1
Definately an interesting fight.
It is not the mountain we conquer but ourselves.
- Edmund Hillary
by Stevosaurus Rex on Jul 6, 2011 2:27 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I know its risky and probably a bout that isn’t going to be made, but in my dream scenario I would book Arreola against Haye. If Arreola wins and looks good doing so a fight between him and Klitschko is going to be that much easier to sell. What other name is there at HW to build him up against?
Ideally Arreola would fight a top ten guy before Wlad
A winnable option IMO would be Tony Thompson, who’s probably best known for bloodying Wlad’s nose and having a few good moments in their fight. HBO can sell that storyline and skip over the fact that Thompson looked immobile in his last fight.
Ideally Arreola would fight a top ten guy before Wlad
Why? Would it give him some better chance of winning? Would Arreola vs Tony Thompson really stir the public’s interest? The fight is what it is and Arreola’s been there before. Might as well just make it and skip all these middle men. Wlad has to fight someone.
Bad Left Hook
"To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day..."
by Scott Christ on Jul 6, 2011 12:21 AM EDT up reply actions
I don’t like the idea of Arreola getting a shot after beating a handful of scrubs. I guess you can argue that most of ranked HW’s not much better, and I realize this sort of stuff happens all the time…just don’t like it.
I get that. But it’s just as much about Wladimir — who’s he supposed to fight? Sadly almost everyone out there is in Arreola’s exact position, or something very similar. Wlad’s next fight, unless it’s David Haye or he sits for a year, is going to be against someone who’s getting the shot without beating any of the top fighters recently. It’s part necessity. Dude’s gotta fight someone.
Bad Left Hook
"To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day..."
Yep, good point.
It really is useless to try to be idealistic with this division. Plus, it would be best to get this fight going while Arreola is in good shape.
i think it would be smart and interesting to steal a page from the Super 6 and Strikeforce’s HW Grand Prix and sign 8 fighters to a tournament. Imagine booking Wadim vs Alexander Povetkin, Arreola vs Chisora, Boytsov vs Tyson Fury, and Adamek vs Haye (Vitali is out for obvious reasons). Just having a tournament would bring a bunch of attention, a lot, lot more than any of those individual fights would. A match between Wadim (after dispatching Povetkin) and the winner of Arreola vs Chisora would be much, much bigger with those fighters coming off victories and being the next stage of the tournament. And no matter who made the finals would sell because that’s how tournaments work: there is a natural storyline created by the merely advancing.
Of course, the pure logistics, purses, and a host of other issues make it pretty unfeasible, but damn wouldn’t it breathe life into the HW division.
That would be pretty interesting
For all its faults the Super Six has cast a light on the Super Middleweight division, which is now one of the more stacked weight classes. As you say this HW tournament would be impossible but I do really like those early match-ups.
You know what’s a winnable fight that might raise up Arreola’s standing among US fans and would generate some interest as a feature attraction for Showtime or HBO? Sam Peter.
Ultimately I agree with the principle that he should beat someone at least somewhat notable before being handed another title shot. He’s had a brief appearance on ESPN2 but aside from that his comeback wins are all off TV – out of sight, out of mind. Going with a spent force who still has name value like Peter or, dare I say it, David Tua or Michael Grant even, may not necessarily be an appreciable upgrade over Friday Ahunanya but it is something that TV and thus fans will want to see. Especially if its a guy who has historically been in entertaining fights AND happens to be in the opponent position in their career.
by VirtualBalboa on Jul 6, 2011 10:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Tyson Fury v Wlad would be hilarious!
Im picturing it in my head like Brian Vera v James Kirkland, one guy with a clumsy style (Fury) getting blasted with shots and barely hanging on. Could be entertaining, albeit for ‘wrong’ reasons.
by Shitali Klitschko on Jul 6, 2011 12:39 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
I like arreola but cant see him winning to be honest. Still the best fight for me is David haye rematch. No else has looked as competitive speed and power wise against wladimir and david haye is the former champion so it makes sense. Id have him as the number three easy- i really cant see Adamak being any better than Haye. failing that bring on Tua!
I’m okay with Arreola getting in there. The story for the fight is already set (Vitali beats up Fat Chris, Slimmer Chris goes to Wlad for revenge) and it will draw and make money. Arreola will also try harder than Haye, and is the sort of guy who will stand in Wlad’s wheelhouse if given the chance. I don’t much like Chris’ chances but I could say that about any of those other guys, too.
Tyson Fury and Dereck Chisora being mentioned at all speaks more about the strength and vitality of the British boxing market than about either guys talents. Them dudes don’t have one shot in Hell of beating either K bro, but British boxing fans are very nationalistic and will plunk down plenty of pounds to see those fights. I’m sure both Ukes would love to wipe out the Russians Boytsov and Povetkin for their own nationalistic reasons, but that storyline doesn’t hold much weight outside of Eastern Europe, and won’t make the money come running.
Nobody cares about a Haye rematch, least of all Wlad. Haye is just another name on his record now, and another belt to lug around until the WBA forces him to drop it.
Bad Left Hook
"My God, kids today think that the laces are for tying up the gloves."
-- Fritzie Zivic
I have no interest in either Klitscho fight anyone except each other which will never happen.
Tiago Splitter > Matt Bonner
I remember good friends Hasim Rahman and Monte Barrett fighting each other. As well as Chris Bryd and DeVarrly Williamson going at it. Wlad vs Vitali has the potential to be worse than those 2 fights
All of it. Gimmie, gimmie, gimmie. I want it all.
Jameel McCline and Chris Byrd were also very good friends who fought and instead McCline did his best to decapitate Byrd before running out of steam.
by VirtualBalboa on Jul 6, 2011 10:24 PM EDT up reply actions
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