How would Haye do against Frank Bruno and Lennox Lewis?

I dont think Haye would beat either of them. He is alot smaller than them and so far he has struggled with big boxers at heavyweight. I think Bruno would knock him out and Lewis would beat him on points in a similar fight to the one where Haye fought Klitschko.

Nothing on Haye's record to suggest that he has much of a shot at beating a top ten Heavyweight of all time, which Lewis was as far as I'm concerned, barring a huge shocker or Lewis getting sloppy and complacent - which in fairness did happen every now and then!

But Haye against Bruno? Now that's a fight, I like it.

Both men have a nigh-on equal amount of a) strengths which the other didn't like coming up against, and b) weaknesses which the other is good at exploiting. Haye's speed and movement would leave Bruno struggling at times, but then again if Haye gets stuck on the outside too much he could find Frank's jab tattooed to his face for the most part, just as Wladimir's was.

Haye's stamina had question marks hanging over it earlier on in his career, but he's done a fair bit to remedy that problem whereas Bruno never did. If Haye can make it to the late stages then his chances probably improve, although he doesn't throw shots with the sort of volume and frequency which is guaranteed to have Bruno gassing, either.

Likewise, neither had a chin / survival instincts to scream from the rooftops about, but Bruno was the more proven Heavyweight hitter. That said, even as a converted Cruiserweight Haye still has more than enough pop to upset Frank, albeit he might need two or three shots to do it, compared to just the one for Bruno.

I think it's a really tough one to call, personally. I can see Bruno man-handling Haye the way Wladimir did and forcing him to retreat throughout, dominating with the jab and eventually mauling him to a stoppage after the half way point, but likewise I can see Haye remaining elusive enough to test Bruno's engine and force the referee to save a dreadfully tired Bruno after a series of unanswered head shots in the championship rounds.

Gun to my head, however, I think I'd go with Haye slightly more often than not, albeit with not much conviction. I think my own percentage call would be for Haye to lose a fair few rounds early on as Bruno dictates with the jab, but as the rounds wear on Bruno's stamina lets him down as Haye makes him chase, miss and flounder. In familiar Bruno style I see him being stopped late on having had a good lead at the half way mark.

winchester wrote:I dont think Haye would beat either of them. He is alot smaller than them and so far he has struggled with big boxers at heavyweight. I think Bruno would knock him out and Lewis would beat him on points in a similar fight to the one where Haye fought Klitschko.

Who? just one fighter klitschko who is the best hw for the last 10 years.

Haye beat valuev who was 7ft.
haye beat Ruiz who was 6 ft 4
haye beat harrison who was 6 ft 5

If Frank lands a left jab Haye is in trouble. Bruno hit too hard. Bruno also had some half decent skills compared with today's contenders.

Think Chris nailed it.

Lewis would have destroyed Haye. He'd have also destroyed Wlad, come to think of it. Unfair comparison.

Think I'd go with Haye 6/10 against Bruno. In the fight with Lewis, he was doing really well, but then gassed - I think the power Bruno had wouldn't translate into actually landing anything besides jabs on Haye and I see Haye being too small a target and too fast to get hit flush to negate any work he may do. I'd say a similar result to Bruno vs Lewis, Bruno starting well, having his successes, taking the first 3/4 rounds and then getting mullered with unanswered shots.

Lewis would be a big favourite against Haye but I cant write Haye off. He has almost no chance winning the fight on points but Lewis is one of those fighters that could lapse in concentration if he was cruising and leave Haye an opening. He could also be vunerable if he didnt respect Hayes power.

Id start Bruno as favourite against Haye. I just havent seen anything from Haye that makes me think he would outbox Bruno. I think Brunos steady agression behind a decent jab and his heavy hands would put Haye onto the back foot and spending too much time staying out of trouble to win rounds. He might be able to land some big shots to take out Bruno but I lean towards the guy I think is more likely to win the fight if it goes the distance.

Champagne_Socialist wrote:

winchester wrote:I dont think Haye would beat either of them. He is alot smaller than them and so far he has struggled with big boxers at heavyweight. I think Bruno would knock him out and Lewis would beat him on points in a similar fight to the one where Haye fought Klitschko.

Who? just one fighter klitschko who is the best hw for the last 10 years.

Haye beat valuev who was 7ft.
haye beat Ruiz who was 6 ft 4
haye beat harrison who was 6 ft 5

Ruiz is 6 2", the same height as haye.
Haye struggled with valuev, he sat on the outside throwing a max of 3 punches per round. Apart from the highlight wobble at the end of the fight he was very unconvincing. I don't think a punch landed in the first round against audley, the 2nd wasn't much better, the boos were deafening. But he landed in the 3rd alright, and one thing haye does know how to do is finish.
Back to the op, lewis beats haye, unless haye lands that lucky punch from the outside that wobbles lewis and he gets a chance to finish. So a concentrated lewis mullers him. Bruno, could do the same, there is nothing yet to suggest haye adopts any other tactic than pot shottingfrom the outside. Convinced he has matrix like speed. Haye has the talent and power to jump in brawl and win, but history shows, unless he's hurt he's more likely to take the cautious approach.

Would have liked to have seen Haye against Herbie Hide.

...yeh, Not dissimilar fighters Sean. Herbie just chinnier, but it would be fun while it lasted.

Lewis Haye is probably a little closer than some have it, Lewis win of course, but Haye would have speed advantage, and he has decent whiskers, I think eventually the ram that is the jab finally breaks Hayes defenses, but the Wladimir fight showed that if nothing else, Haye is adept at self-preservation.

Bruno-Haye is a pick-em. I give it to Haye, as he has the speed, and stamina advantage, could be fun.

Haye vs Lewis, an easy (probably too easy) comparison is Lewis vs Tua which was a stinker to watch. Lewis had the ability to out box or just go for the KO and I would expect him to be up for the fight meaning he wouldn't be as complacent as he was for his defeats.

Lewis wins 9/10 for me.

Bruno was probably better than most people remember but Haye's speed could prove a problem for him.

A big factor in a fight between these two would be with the build up.

Haye would really tare into Bruno and Bruno always seemed very concerned about public opinion of him, can see Haye getting to Bruno and throwing his game plan out.

On paper I would say Bruno 9/10 but the variables of the build up and the state of mind Bruno would have been at the end of it probably makes this one a 50/50 for me.

I really think Bruno would have been a contender in today's heavyweight scene, although I think Haye would be too smart and too quick for him - and would also have the mental edge. It's tough to call as their styles are really different.

I think Haye is heaps better than Herbie Hide ever was, Hide would indeed take a hiding.

Hard to see Haye lasting the distance against Lewis.

Interesting to see people saying Haye has remedied his stamina issues. I think he'd addressed it more by strategy than by fitness. He seemed to learn from the Carl Thompson fight that he needs to pace himself, and he's developed a more cautious, economical style.

Not seen anything from Haye to convince me of his heavyweight credentials.

Lewis by KO in around 6, Bruno by KO in < 3 rounds.

I think Bruno would have used his holding and jab tactics to wear Haye down and get a points decision

Lewis v Haye would have just been brutal with Haye getting smashed around for about 9 rounds before Lennox knocks him out

I wouldnt anticipate Haye being much like Tua. Tua was was a fairly immobile fighter who came forward and against Lewis he was pretty overweight. Haye fights on the backfoot and is alot more elusive and agile. If Lewis gave Haye full respect as a big puncher and put in an A plus performance he could probably catch up with Haye and stop him but its the sort of fight that I think there is a danger in Lewis switching off. Hes a much bigger fighter and his size would inneviteable mean Haye spends most of his time trying to keep out of harms way. Lewis could drop into cruise control just comfortable piling the rounds up with his jab and then either switching off or becoming overconfident due to Haye not posing him much threat.

I haven't seen much of this vaunted speed of Haye that causes heavyweights so many problems. I'd pick Bruno to break him up eventually. Lets not forget that Bruno had a very good jab which was hard in itself. Haye would circle hoping to land the big one which probably will not happen. Also Bruno is not as chhinny as people say. He took some bombs from Tyson, Lewis and McCall before he succumbed. It's just that he loses the plot when tagged. The punch he took off Jumbo Cummings would have felled a horse. And Bonecrusher was a huge puncher himself. Haye is not in their league in terms of punch power.

Bruno against Haye is really tough to call I think. I dont see Haye winning on points but his lateral movement over 12 rounds could tire Bruno out who had a history of that. I think he also could have more success of walking Bruno onto some big shots. I would lean towards Bruno but I wouldnt be surprised if Haye found a way to stop him.

Relying on a KO is a dangerous game. Yes Bruno had stamina issues. But that was mainly against guys who applied constant pressure or more pressure Haye would employ. Bruno on points or late KO for me. Haye has chin issues and Bruno will hit him hard at some point.

Real tough one to call. Bruno wasnt the most fluid boxer despite having a good jab and heavy hands. I think if he was made chase the fight and throw and miss alot it could definately make him vulnerable in the later rounds. Id be pretty confiedent of how the two approach the fight but no real confidence in which approach gains superiority. I lean to Bruno just because I think if it does go the distance he has probably racked up enough rounds by using the jab and being the aggressor to win the fight.

Lewis had a very dull style. I think he would beat Haye in the same way Klitschkko did. Just jabbing him cautiosly from a distance but not taking any chances to try and knock him out. Haye would not be able to cope with that.

winchester wrote:Lewis had a very dull style. I think he would beat Haye in the same way Klitschkko did. Just jabbing him cautiosly from a distance but not taking any chances to try and knock him out. Haye would not be able to cope with that.

I doubt Lewis would respect Haye the same way Wlad did. Lewis would KO him. Won't be a great fight and probably a one punch ending. If a blown up SMW could make Haye dance a la Price, Lennox would put him away.

azania wrote:If a blown up SMW could make Haye dance a la Price, Lennox would put him away.

Why do you feel the need to mention price every time you post?

JabMachineMK2 wrote:

azania wrote:If a blown up SMW could make Haye dance a la Price, Lennox would put him away.

Why do you feel the need to mention price every time you post?

OK. A la Khan.

Better still, put me back on your ignore list. 

Lewis beats Haye 9 times out of 10. The one time being the time when Lewis gets casual and gets sparked a la Rahman.
The only other question would be if Lewis gets the stoppage or takes a decision. Haye can be quite slippery but Lewis is more aggressive than Wlad. It could either way I think, either a comfortable UD or a mid/late stoppage.
Haye-Bruno is harder to call and an argument could be made for both. I'd probably favour Haye. Think he's got enough angles to catch Bruno flush and the instincts to finish the job.

I'll say it again, if Bruno lands a straight left he decapitates Haye. That is a serious serious punch.

I genuinely think that if Lewis fought Haye it would be like Lewis-Ruddock. With dangerous fighters Lennox often took the fight to them - see Ruddock, Briggs & Golota. I think Lewis destroys him in 3-4 rounds max, although he might take a shot or two.

Bruno is a different kettle of fish. If it's a short fight, Bruno 9 times out of 10 by hitting Haye with the boxing equivalent of a sledgehammer, and David curling up in the corner & having a nap. If he can evade Bruno's big punches, I too can see Haye landing almost at will in the later rounds with Frank being rescued doing his Greek statue bit. That's a big if though...

He didn't take it to Tua. He did a Usain Bolt impersonation going backwards.

I dont think Lewis was much of a killer instinct fighter either. I imagine Haye would be spending his time trying to keep outside Lewis' range and as he showed against Wlad, his movement and survival skills are ok when hes just trying to avoid be knocked out. I think Hayes style could easily bring out the worst in Lewis. I dont think he would have a massive regard for Haye and the more running Haye does the more likely Lewis is to loaf, lose concentration or get overconfident. Against fighters that took it to Lewis he didnt loaf as much because he couldnt afford to. If he wanted to, he could probably go in and take Hayes head off. But it wasnt really the norm, and that combined with Haye doing his best to avoid getting hit means I wouldnt be too surprised if it went the distance.

I think Bruno would have hit too hard for Haye. As limited as he was, he landed big shots on every man he fought.

Haye - Lewis. Lewis every time and Haye breaks all time distance record keeping away from Lennox. Lewis could probably finish it any time he wants, he is just so much more skilled.
Haye - Bruno - dpends how long Haye can avoid Bruno's jackhammer jab. I think that Haye would fancy this fight and would then get too close too often and eventually big Frank would tag him. Lawless & Francis would ensure that Frank was as well prepared as could be for this.

Eyetoldyouso wrote:Haye - Lewis. Lewis every time and Haye breaks all time distance record keeping away from Lennox. Lewis could probably finish it any time he wants, he is just so much more skilled.
Haye - Bruno - dpends how long Haye can avoid Bruno's jackhammer jab. I think that Haye would fancy this fight and would then get too close too often and eventually big Frank would tag him. Lawless & Francis would ensure that Frank was as well prepared as could be for this.

Lewis beats Haye everytime- agreed but not just because he so much more skilled, because that simply isn't true- Haye is plenty skilled, and Lewis was pretty sloppy for such a skilled man himself. He beats Haye everytime because so big and powerful- a good un beats a good little un may be a cliche, but in this case it's an apt one.

Bruno - Lose

Lewis - Really Lose

Lewis is the kind of fighter I would struggle to back to beat a decent big punching heavyweight everytime. What happened against McCall or especially Rahman is capable of happening against Haye. Maybe more so due to the size disparity.

manos de piedra wrote:Lewis is the kind of fighter I would struggle to back to beat a decent big punching heavyweight everytime. What happened against McCall or especially Rahman is capable of happening against Haye. Maybe more so due to the size disparity.

That's great with hindsight but Ruddock was no mug and had a hell of a dig on him. A raw Lewis took him to bits in what was then a "pick 'em" fight. If THAT Lewis fought Haye, a similar result would ensue in my book!

Well I wouldnt argue that a bang on form Lewis beats Haye virtually everytime but his career suggests this wasnt the case. To say Lewis beats Haye everytime implies that Haye never has a chance of winning. I wouldnt agree with this. Lewis was prone to carelessness or overconfidence and Haye is the sort of fighter I think that could see those issues arising against.

It was the getting sparked by McCall that turned Lewis into more of a "thinker" in the ring. I agree 100% that a careless Lewis loses. If he's not motivated, he gets bored and loses concentration. However, I think he'd be up for this and would end it early.

My concern with Lewis is that Hayes style is one in which it easy enough to switch of against. He spends the majority of the fight out of range with a pretty low frequency of attacks and punches. Lewis could get overly comfortably just being in control behind the jab and either switch off and lose focus or become indifferent to the threat Hae poses leading to him taking chances or getting careless.

It would depend on their respective positions at the time. If Lewis was the established champion and Haye not much more than a brash contender stepping up from cruiserweight or with limited credentials at heavyweight then he could become a banana skin like Rahman or McCall did. If the fight was a big one and Haye seen as a real threat then its far more likely Lewis comes in focused,

Rowley wrote:Bruno - Lose

Lewis - Really Lose

What? Any which way ....

As others have said Bhb, any heavy with a dig has the lapse in concentration chance against Lewis but think in head to head affairs we have to assume best nights for both and if so struggle to give Haye the preverbial snowball in hells chance. He never looked like upsetting Wlad and think Lewis can do pretty much everything Wlad can and has a few more tricks up his sleeve offensively so have to pick him.

Bruno is not so clear a win but still think I fancy Frank. One of Frank's major problems is stamina but when confronted with a heavy puncher or sizeable heavy Haye does not tend to set any kind of pace so struggle to see this becoming an issue and if he adopts his default staying on the outside and trying raiding tactics he might find himself eating a few too many jabs, and Frank's jab was a decent offensive weapon. Haye has a chance as he can dig and Frank was a bit clueless when tagged but also worth remembering Frank tended to land his share of shots even against well schooled top drawer opposition. Fancy him to take Haye out late on to be honest.

Always possible though that old age and the general dross that passes for heavyweights now have made me remember Bruno a little kinder than he deserves but still make him favurite.

Prime Lewis knocks Haye out cold in 3,good big un beats a good little un, Bruno, Haye 50/50, whoever lands there power punch first, Haye the better boxer without a doubt, but Frank has that punchers chance

HAye a better boxer than Frank?! Surely its the other way around.

ShahenshahG wrote:HAye a better boxer than Frank?! Surely its the other way around.

Found Bruno a bit stiff and mechanical to be honest, consider him to be a very lucky world champion,Haye's faster and moves better for me.

He's the better athlete certainly not even close as a boxer.

ShahenshahG wrote:He's the better athlete certainly not even close as a boxer.

Only ever remember Haye getting outboxed by Vitali but sorry respect Bruno's power but was never a fan.

Haye v Bruno is a fight I like, and unlike most I'd fancy Haye to win, and by stoppage too. Bruno had an effective jab and wasnt unskilled by any stretch. But if you watch Haye, he's a very evasive fighter, even against Wlad - a fight he gets slated for - his head & upper body movement was good, made Wlad miss a lot, something that gets overlooked in the analysis. If he could do the same to Bruno whilst walking him onto some flush shots then I feel Frank would tire and Haye would eventually catch him with one that's put Bruno in trouble. With Haye being a very good finisher and Bruno going to pot when hurt I could see Haye getting him out of there via TKO.

Lewis Haye is a different story, Lewis had a couple of lapses that cost him dearly as we all know, but if you're comparing the best version of each I don't really see Haye getting near Lewis. Lennox was a massive puncher, far bigger than anything Haye has faced at HW - his right hand was devastating and if Haye ate it it'd be game over I feel. Size, strength, technical skill & power all too stacked in LL's favour to see anything other than stoppage loss for Haye just after the midway point.

Not hard being evasive if he didn't come within a 6 foot radius of the opponent. He also dropped to his knees easier than a 2 dollar hooker, people forget that.