Moments ago inside of the Imtech Arena in Hamburg, Germany, IBF and WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko cruised to unanimous decision victory over former WBA champion David Haye. The fight was one of the most anticipated heavyweight duels in recent memory but just like many of Klitschko?s recent fights it failed to deliver in terms of excitement or competitiveness.
Haye had talked a big game heading into the contest and in the early going his movement and unorthodox nature did seem to trouble his 6’6″ opponent as he darted in and out with grazing shots. But Klitschko remained poised and began figuring out the British star, slowly picking him off with his ramrod jab and piling up the rounds.
<--- Slideshow: Too little from David Haye as Wladimir Klitschko cruises to victory
As the fight progressed HBO commentator Larry Merchant showed his disdain at the lack of action, criticizing Haye for not engaging enough. Sure enough, through ten rounds Haye had only landed in double digits in one stanza while Klitschko had only one frame that he failed to do so.
It was only in round twelve that Haye seemed to really get through, rocking Wladimir with a right hand that had him a bit shook and holding. But the 35-year old champion simply kept his cool and killed the final seconds as he rode off to a unanimous decision victory. Advertisement
Scores of 118-108, 117-109, and 116-110 were read across the board for Klitschko. Each man suffered one point deduction in the fight, Klitschko for holding behind Haye?s head in round seven and Haye from a knockdown in the eleventh.
News flash: Mark Melligen upset by Sebastian Lujan in San Antonio
Odds in Las Vegas had Haye closing the gap as the fight closed, as he was less than a 2-1 underdog come fight time, but his effort was lacking in certain areas. The 30-year old has said time and time again that he will be walking away from the sport after the fight and it remains to be seen what the future holds for him.
As for Klitschko, who raises his record to 56-3 with 49 knockouts, he mentioned that he feels the need to continue and will still push on with his career.
