Weights from Germany – Nicolai Valuev 314.6 David Haye 216.7 l John Ruiz 226 Adnan Serin 214.5 l Sergei Liakhovich 232.8 Jeremy Bates 231.4 l Robert Helenius 248.8 Taras Bidenko 215.4 l Alexander Frenkel 193.4 Kelvin Davis 196.2
By Erik Shaffer – This Saturday David Haye will finally step into the ring against one of the current heavyweight champions as he takes on Nikolay Valuev for the WBA title. David Haye is sitting right now at around a -160 favorite with a total of 10.5 rounds -170 over to beat the Russian giant, who is coming off one of the worst fights of his career. It was last December when I watched Evander Holyfield circle around against Valuev, win 8 rounds in the process only to be given a majority decision loss.
Haye also had his last fight a year ago as he scored a TKO over Monte Barrett during the 5th round. David Haye comes into this fight on fire. Before the Barrett fight he ko’d Enzo Maccarinelli in 2 rounds and he also ko’d Jean Marc Mormeck in 7. As for Valuev, well even before the Holyfield fight he had a split decision win over John Ruiz. And that also was considered as a bad performance. I do know that when it comes to sporting events there is a big difference between coming in as a favorite and coming in as a home dog. And I think on Saturday we have a sleeping home dog ready to wake up and take a bite..
We have all seen Valuev look much better than he did against Holyfield. The big man has some skills that can help him in this fight. Haye does leave himself open and that will only open things up for the underrated Valuev jab. That’s right I said underrated. And that jab is what will keep this fight close. Throw in a few big rights on the semi weak chin of Haye and all of a sudden we see things going Valuev’s way on Saturday. Haye does look great at cruiser, but these are the big boys now. I know Haye is much faster and will throw those power combos that look great against other fighters, but I seen some big boys throw shots at Valuev and the guy is never really hurt. I seen Haye hurt a few times and its been against smaller fighters then Valuev. Of course everyone is smaller than Valuev and I think on Saturday is one of those nights where Valuev takes advantage once again. I just don’t see Haye walking through this big guy like he did against his opponents in his last 3 fights. Throw in the facts that Monte Barrett was washed up, Enzo was made for Haye and Mormeck was clearly on the downside of his career after the 2 tough fights with Bell and we have the wrong fighter favored to win this Saturday.
Yes, the sleeping giant will be awake on Saturday. No final result play here as we will just take the plus money and go for the win.
Prediction – Valuev to win against Haye
Chad Dawson and Glen Johnson will have their much anticipated rematch thus Saturday and once again we see Dawson as the big favorite because he will step in the ring at just under 4-1 to beat Johnson again with a total of 11.5 -325 over. I find it kind of strange that Dawson is a bigger favorite to beat Johnson the second time around. The first fight was very close with Johnson clearly landing the more powerful punches. But I really thought that was a case of a young fighter trying to make a name for himself and doing the wrong things in the process. Lets remember that was Dawson’s first big public fight. Adamek at that time was not a name in America. Glen Johnson clearly was. The first fight was close, but didn’t have to be. When Dawson used his skills, boxed and moved he did well. Johnson did well when Dawson chose to brawl him. It just seemed to me that Dawson was trying to Knock out the older fighter and that just doesn’t happen. Chad Dawson knows that now and he is coming in Saturday night to box. I think our good friends in Vegas know this also and that’s why we have a very high total in a rematch where one fighter was very hurt in the fight. And they also made that hurt fighter a bigger favorite this time around. More skills and less thrills are expected by Dawson on Saturday and that’s what were going to get. I look for the speed, skills and underrated defense of Chad Dawson to come up big in this fight.
Dawson is one of the best fighters in the world and I look for him to pitch close to a shut out on saturday. Now we all know I would never take credit for a 4-1 favorite getting a win and you don’t win money that way. Lets take Chad Dawson must win by decision against the tough Glen Johnson as we look to lay 2-1 odds and get the easy victory and easy money in a fight where we have a young up and coming star fighting as the home boy against a faded fighter. Yes, Johnson will look faded on Saturday night.
Prediction – Dawson must win by decision against Johnson