 Black Belt
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Hypothetical match threads are fun but often stupid, and these types are the worst.
Eh, so what ? ……
Most Boxers that I’ve talked to about it like MMA and many are pretty up on it’s news.
Not all – some look down on it as having no history, no social importance, and no future beyond a fad, but most appreciate it from a fighter’s perspective, and of course, an MMA fighter being a fish out of water without good Boxing in their game these days, the respect is reciprocated.
You have to remember that even though fans pick their favorite thing and defend it beyond reason, a fighter is a fighter, and sees the connection more clearly.
That’s my take on it anyway.
It is interesting that Haye was picked by the thread starter because it’s common knowledge that he’s one of those who really likes the sport of MMA.
The Sun reported that Haye has already had six years of MMA training and he told the paper:
“Once my boxing career is over, in two or three years, MMA is definitely something I'll look to jump into with both hands and feet”.
The UK based MMA magazine “Fighters Only”, which is one of 9 I’ve subscribed to had a nice interview with Haye in which he stated "I've already got a grounding in the sport and have been working on the foundations for around six years now. The kicking side of things comes fairly naturally to me as I did kickboxing before boxing. You can't make the jump between the two sports half-heartedly and I wouldn't do a Ray Mercer and just turn up for a pay cheque”.
He went on; "I would take the same attitude I have for boxing into the Octagon. If I were going to do it, I'd want to do it properly and win everything in sight. Money wouldn't even be an issue — that's the last thing I'd do it for. It would be all about the challenge. I wouldn't go in there blind and make a fool of myself like some other boxers (Mercer) do, I'd only do it if I was confident of becoming the best in the world."
In another news article Haye revealed; “I’m a big fan, when I was out in Miami, I went to the EliteXC fight with Kimbo, I saw that show out there. I enjoyed the show, I go to Cage Rage whenever I’m in the UK. I’m a big fan of mixed martial arts, I’m a big fan of combat sports in general. I definitely love watching it. I actually believe that I’d like to get involved in it once my boxing career is over".
"In an ideal world, this is what my plan would be - I’ve accomplished one part of my plan, which was to be undisputed cruiserweight champion of the world, once I’m at heavyweight, I’m not going to box into my 31st year. You know, I’ve been boxing since the age of 10 years old, 20 years in the game is enough for me. But what I’d like to do then, I’d like to challenge whoever’s regarded as the number one mixed martial arts fighter.
"I’d probably have to train for a year and try and make that fight because I definitely feel that my reactions are good enough – and if I can get my ground game to a reasonable level… Obviously, I’m not going to be able to catch up with these guys who have been doing jiu-jitsu their whole lives".
"Believe it or not, I come from a martial arts background, my father was a karate teacher, so I’ve got good legs. I’ve done judo, so I know what I’m doing. I train at a gym called the Third Space in Piccadilly which has a jiu-jitsu dojo and I get in there from time to time and have a roll around with the guys. They tell me I’m at a decent level, if I put some focus into it and put some time and effort into it… I’m a natural athlete, I can do anything that I want to do and I think that it would be definitely worth my while getting in to do it".
"It’s just another challenge, I like to set myself goals and tasks and definitely fighting for the UFC heavyweight championship would be a real big thing for me and I’d do whatever was required to get that win. I’m a fighter, through and through – any kind of competition. I’d be a big underdog, and I’d actually like that. I like people writing me off. I used to fight in the street, I used to be a street fighter, so I’m not a traditional boxer, I’ve done martial arts since the age of 3. I might surprise a few people with my ground game”.
So that all puts an interesting spin on this thread as far as I’m concerned.
As great a fighter as AA is, he’s not going to cut in line in front of 1200 other active, experienced pro heavyweight boxers and shine against a David Haye in Haye’s “house”.
Big Bob Sapp did it against the great Ernesto Hoost of course, but the line to get to Hoost isn’t as long and you can just about count the number of active heavyweights in Kickboxing who’ve had six fights this year on your fingers, and on top of that, Sapp benefited from a style mesh that he had trouble repeating against other K-1 kickboxers after Hoost, so I wouldn’t see Andrei repeating any such attack on the upper ranks of Boxing.
IMO, if Arlovski and Haye boxed next month, Haye would knock him out as he wants, when he wants, and AA wouldn’t even make a decent sparring partner for him.
But the other question is this……Would Haye melt just as quickly against Arvlovski under MMA rules ?
My opinion is……probably not…..Or make that: No.
Here’s where we get back to the difference between acquired skills vs. innate abilities.
Arlovski is just about as good a Boxer as he can get, and with his other highly developed skills in adjacent fighting areas, I place him among the 10 best MMA heavyweights ever.
But Haye can build his grappling, right up to the level that his “aptitude for fighting” will allow, and it sounds to me like he’s got a good start already.
He’s certainly a better MMA prospect than, say, Jeremy Williams is (even with Williams’ Judo experience), who’s done very well even though he’s washed up, and Haye would bring buckets full of the very thing that’s proven to be something of an Achilles heel to Arlovski….One punch KO power….only it would be delivered with laser accuracy and quickness.
I know, it’s silly and it’s sacrilege.
But we’ve seen stranger things happen in MMA than this before.
A little TDD and a sharp shot to the head………
If you’re an “MMA ONLY” fan you say LOL….No Way !…”You’re dreamin’”
If you’re Andrei faced with better hands than anyone in MMA has ever dreamed about, you say…..Holy Crap !
I don’t like AA’s chances against Haye in Boxing.
I don’t like Haye’s chances against AA in MMA.
Of the two however, I say that Haye’s chances against AA in MMA are far better.
If you see it any different, then you made a mistake by reading this post....LOL
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Reporter: Tony, what do you think your chances are against Joe Louis?
Galento: Joe who?
Reporter: Joe Louis.
Galento: I never hoid of da bum.
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