By James Slater: As fans have probably read, legendary boxing Trainer of Champions, Angelo Dundee recently sat down with WBA heavyweight champ David Haye and gave the 30-year-old some of his sage advice ahead of Haye’s July 2nd mega-fight with Wladimir Klitschko. Working at Dundee’s world renowned 5th Street Gym in Miami, Haye had his July 2nd game-plan “tweaked” by the 89-year-old Hall of Famer.
Haye spoke briefly about his chat(s) with Dundee, and Angelo himself, on Radio 5, spoke further about Haye and his chances against “Dr. Steel Hammer.” Not only does Dundee believe Haye will win in July; not only does he feel Haye will win by KO – but the trainer says Haye, with the win, will be elevated into the top-15 all-time heavyweights. High praise indeed, and an opinion that is sure to inspire some serious debate from the fans.
“I saw him when he was training in The 5th Street Gym and he looked as though he belonged there right away,” Dundee said of Haye. “It was the first time I had seen him personally and I have been very impressed with the guy. He can box, he can move and he’s a well-conditioned kid. He feels at home in The 5th Street Gym. That’s important. You need to blend in. David has done that, just like Muhammad Ali did when he first came to that gym.
“David Haye, after he knocks out Wladimir Klitschko, will be in the top-15 all-time heavyweight boxers. Every era has a different great fighter. David Haye belongs to this era.”
Is Angelo right? Will Haye, even if he does manage to upset and stop Wladimir in Germany, really be worthy of a place amongst the top-15 heavyweight boxers in history? A Haye win over just one of the Klitschkos would certainly secure him a place in history; especially when the win would be accompanied by Haye’s great success as a cruiserweight. But top-15 of all-time as a heavy? After just six fights at the weight? I am willing to bet how many fans will strongly disagree with Dundee’s comments.
If, however, Haye sticks around and manages to defeat BOTH Klitschko, then he would be worthy, in my opinion, of being ranked as loftily as Dundee says.
Right now, here are the top-15 greatest heavyweights in my humble opinion:
1: Muhammad Ali.
2: Jack Johnson.
3: Joe Louis.
4: Jack Dempsey.
5: Rocky Marciano.
6: George Foreman.
7: Larry Holmes.
8: Sonny Liston.
9: Joe Frazier.
10: Evander Holyfield.
11: Lennox Lewis.
12: Mike Tyson.
13: Vitali Klitschko.
14: Riddick Bowe.
15: Wladimir Klitschko.
David Haye would be ranked right in the lower section of this list if he were to beat both Klitschkos. Can he do it!?