Haye vs W.Klitschko

Tip: Klitschko to win 8/13 (BetFred)
TV: SkySports Box Office est 10.15 PM
Stakes: WBA,IBF,WBO Heavyweight Championships.

Although I haven't been involved in the sport for as long as some, I can't help but spot the same old patterns and cliches that pop up in the sport of Boxing. In the build up to a big fight, we continually hear how confident fighter 'A' looks, or how we can something in someones eyes during press conferences. Journalists, during ultra hype mode, literaly try and convince us and themselves that one fighter actually has more than a chance in a particular match up, when in reality the classic indicators of form, styles and experience tell us otherwise. Two recent examples of this; Miguel Cotto vs Yuri Foreman and David Haye vs Audley Harrison shown that even the most articulate and knowledgable Boxing fans get caught up in the build up to a fight. Foreman in Max Kellermans words was a 'curosity', someone that had a great story, punters wanted him to win. In the case of Haye/Harrison, plenty of broadcasters were left with egg on their face as they attemtped to sell the fight to the casual viewer.

This is another example of people betting with their heart rather than their head, in some cases it's just plain old patriotic gambling, the type Bookies really like. I would rather put to one side these distractions and focus on the match up itself, let's start with the respective approach of each fighter and how it will effect this fight. Klitschko in my opinion, is the best jabber in the sport (relevant as Ruiz landed far to many jabs on Haye) has one of the most effective defenses, perhaps has the best heavyweight trainer ever in Manny Steward who has masterminded many successful gameplans in the division, a brutal straight right hand, an excellent understanding of range and underated speed, ask Eddie Chambers. His detractors and previous opponents all say the same thing; get inside, hurt him, go to the body and so on. Not only do they fail to replicate these words into actions, they fail to even attempt to implement this tactics, usually because they freeze or have poor conditioning in comparision to Wladimir, this won't happen with Haye. But what will is the sudden reliastion of Haye's fans that the Londoner does not have the tools to beat Klitschko, he is not an inside fighter. He also relies on range, timing and mistakes from his opponent, take a look at the Maccarinelli bout.

Haye obviously has speed and power, but will the most conservative boxer on the planet let him use these attributes? I think not. The fight will be a potshotting chess match, with a knockdown very likely and knockout likely. If you are wondering why I have gone for Klitschko to win only, it's because you will never get odds of above 1/2 on in a Klitschko fight, never. Take these odds, it's a safe bet and remember Klitschko can beat Haye in more ways than Haye can beat Klitschko.

Sturm vs Macklin

Tip: Sturm to win by Decision 1.72 (bet365).
TV: Skysports Two from 8.30 PM, following Brook vs N'Dou.
Stakes: WBA 'Super' World Middleweight Championship.

Firstly, a quick background on the two fighters before we get to a prediction. Sturm, despite holding a rather farcical version of a world title is indeed a world level fighter. He is making the ninth defense of his title, having defended it against a series of C- minus fighters and a couple of decent fighters in Ronald Hearns and fellow German Sylvester. Macklin is a two time European Champ, probably most well known for being knocked out by Jamie Moore in a domestic classic. At Middleweight, he looks to have shown some stamina/physical problems, looking a bit soft at the weight in my view.

In this fight I am taking Sturm, and in impressive fashion. I believe he will deconstruct Macklin, I think there is even a possibility he will stop him late but even if you don't share this view, we know that Sturm can win rounds with his jab as well as anyone in the sport. Consider these factors also when highlighting where the fight takes place also (Germany), although in fairness the aforementioned Sylvester just lost his IBF version of the world title to Daniel Geale not so long ago in his hometown.

In terms of the technical match up, I feel Sturm's body work (his team believe Macklin is vulnerable to the body) will prevent any serious scares late on, with a stoppage for Sturm more likely. Macklin is a busy Boxer-Puncher type, with plenty of feints and upper body movement, but I think his rather standard defense will make it easy for Sturm to use his low but accurate punch output to wear down Macklin.

Sturm will win but I would advise against a KO bet considering the German only has 15 knockouts to his name.