30 SPORT - THE WARM UP
gairrhydd | SPORT@GAIRRHYDD.COM MONDAY NOVEMBER 02 2009
Previews in brief
Adam Horne predicts the toppling of Boxing's biggest ever Heavyweight champion in Saturday's big fight
World Series Baseball
“David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground. So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him.” We all know the age old story of David and Goliath; however the upcoming meeting between David Haye and Nikolai Valuev on November 7 seems destined to modernize the tale. Valuev is out to rewrite ancient history, and rest assured David Haye is going into the ring without a trusty sling on his arm. If small is to triumph over big once again, then Haye is certainly going to need to out-skill the Russian beast. With the World Heavyweight title on the line I aim to sum up just how Haye can defeat Valuev, whilst reminding readers that the Russian man mountain is more than just a pretty face.
So the Major League Baseball season is over. That can only mean one thing. The coming of the World series that this year sees the Philadelphia Phillies return to the best-of-seven playoff. For those of you who may be hazy on your baseball knowledge, the bestof-seven series works like this. It pits the two league champions against each other, in this case the Phillies and the Yankees. The first team to win 4 matches wins the series, hence bestof-seven.
The first match has already taken place with the Phillies beating the Yankees 6-1, a surprise outcome for some. The next match is to take place on Tuesday night at the Yankees stadium where they will no doubt be looking to level the series. The Yankees are back in the World Series after a 6 year wait and this could well be their year. They’ve had a bad start but they also have a pretty fearsome lineup and I believe they will hit back on Tuesday night. It promises to be a tight series whatever the case.
Liverpool vs Lyon Crunch time for Liverpool in Europe when they once again meet Lyon on Wednesday. Lyon got the better of Liverpool two weeks ago at Anfield, and will be brimming with confidence going into this game on their home turf. Liverpool sit 3rd in the group table below Lyon, who are on 9 points, and Fiorentina, who are on 6. Assuming Fiorentina take all 3 points against minnows Debrecen on Wednesday they will also have 9 points. If Liverpool were to lose against Lyon, Lyon would be on 12 points, with qualification guaranteed. This would also leave Liverpool trailing on a measly 3 points meaning Fiorentina need only to gain a point from their final two games to qualify. Liverpool need maximum points from their final three games if they are to qualify. Fernando Torres has recovered from injury and appears back in full swing after his weekend goal against Manchester United. However, fears still loom over Steven Gerrard. If he is not fit to face Lyon that will be a massive blow to Benitez. Expect Benitez to field an attack minded side, looking to score goals and break down the Lyon defence who showed their worth at Anfield. For me, this has to go down as a Lyon victory, which will no doubt lead to Liverpool failing to qualify for the final 16.
Judging from Valuev's size, sticks and stone are unlikely to break his bones... and it seems words are likely to have little effect either Both fighters come into this fight on the back of superb form. Haye, 28, has lost only once in 23 fights, whilst Valuev, 36, has, even more impressively only lost once in 52 fights of which included 34 knockouts whilst never being knocked down himself. Clearly Haye faces a daunting task. Or does he? Valuev is well known for his lack of technical ability when it comes to boxing. He’s slow, almost clumsy, and often leaves himself open to big hits. This must surely be David Hayes’ dream fight. He, in total contrast to Valuev is lightning quick,
nifty, energetic, and technically superior to the Russian. If he is to beat Valuev he will need to take advantage of these skills in Nuremburg on the 7th. Haye clearly believes he has what it takes to out maneuver the modern day Goliath. "He doesn't have the technical ability to beat someone as fast and as experienced as me". He continued by suggesting that “He's an ugly type of fighter, he tries to lean on you, tries to brawl and comes out with a really hairy chest that gets matted and is disgusting." That’s right. No boxing match is complete without the over-dramatic, showcase spectacle of trash talking and there’s been no shortage of that. Haye not only pokes fun at Valuev’s hairy chest, a man wig that even Austin powers would be proud of, but has also called him a ‘circus freak’ and suggested that “he doesn’t smell too sweet" "I've talked to a few guys that have been in the ring with him and they say that's the first thing they notice, just the stench…Hopefully he runs a cold tap over himself or someone hoses him down outside before he comes in." No doubt Haye will be hoping someone introduces Valuev to some ‘Right Guard’ before the two meet to introduce fists to each others faces on Saturday night. Not that this childish, yet hugely entertaining taunting seems to have unnerved the Russian at all. He has simply labeled Haye as "another idiot". "Haye's behaviour is very strange and not normal at all," he said. "I think one German phrase sums it up well: '1,000 volts, but no light',” he remarked. Judging from his size, sticks and stones are unlikely to break his bones and it seems words will have little effect either. The towering Russian stands nine inches taller than David Haye, and weights approximately 90 pounds more than the Englishman. Beating him will be no easy task because, beside the fact that I’m pretty sure he has a pelvis fused somewhere onto his face, he is in fact a great boxer. His statistics stand up on their own. One loss in 52 fights including 34 knockouts. He’s clearly a heavy hitter,
BEST PALS: The pair haven't quite mastered rock, paper scissors yet capable of putting opponents out of fights before the final bell. After hearing that he’s never been knocked down my confidence in Haye plummeted quicker than Southampton FC in the football leagues. Here we have a man who is used to fighting opponents a lot smaller than himself, who is, as far as I can tell, impossible to knock down, and who has some outstanding statistics behind him.
"I've talked to a few guys that have been in the ring with him and they say that's the first thing they notice... just the stench" The only way I can possibly see Haye winning is by a points decision, which would of course require him to go the full distance against Valuev. I’m going to go out on a limb and suggest that this will happen. Haye has been training incredibly hard and will be prepared for the power and brute force Valuev will bring to the
ring. He will, however, have the speed and technical skills to duck and dive the Russian’s shots, whilst no doubt getting in a few hits himself. I don’t honestly see Haye knocking the Russian out, but his superior boxing skills could well see him gaining a majority verdict should he go the distance. Someone has to knock this guy down one day. I don’t believe Haye will be the one to do it, but if he can stay off the canvas, I can see him stealing the majority verdict.
How you can watch: Sky Sports Box Office Saturday November 7 Coverage starts at: 20:00
D. Haye vs N. Valuev: The Editors make their predictions
CHAMPION: Valuev with his belt
Lucy Morgan: The height and weight difference between these two is ridiculous, so realisticly I don't see how David Haye can win. However, Valuev lacks technical ability and, when up against the fast-paced skill of Haye, this fight may not be as clear cut as it first seems. Valuev may have a pretty impressive history, having lost only one fight in the last 34, but he has to be beaten at some stage and why can't Haye be the one to acheive this? It's about time someone stuck up for the little people in the world!
Adam Horne: I’m rooting for David Haye. He’s quick, technically superior and is capable of taking hits. He’s been training against a 6ft 7 fighter and will be prepared for a tough fight against a tall opponent. I think this one will go the distance. Haye to win with an eventual majority verdict. The Englishman’s corner will be hoping he can replace the stench of Valuev’s chest wig with the sweet smell of victory. Valuev won’t give up his title easily, but should he fail, he could always take up a career as a Rocky Dennis impersonator.
Robbie Wells: I'm 6ft 6 so i have to stick up for the fellow giants in this world. The fact that Valuev has never been knocked down is a massive factor in my decision. He is obviously too big, and too powerful for other boxers to handle, which is exactly how he has managed to retain his title and exactly why he will retain his title on Saturday night. Haye may be quick, energetic, and technically sound, but he's also short...and short people never win.