ON this day, July 2, in 2011 Wladimir Klitschko comprehensively outscored David Haye in a major heavyweight unification clash in Hamburg. The fight itself did not live up to expectations, with the Englishman taking a lot of criticism of the aftermath of the fight, particularly for citing an injured toe. But in an interview earlier this year David told Boxing News that he did prove something in the contest.
“I proved to a lot of people in the fight against Wladimir [Klitschko] that my chin wasn’t as bad [as people thought]. I proved to myself as well that my chin wasn’t as bad as people thought. I’ve always been known as a ‘chinny’ fighter throughout my career, ever since I got stopped by Carl Thompson, the corner threw the towel in,” he said. “Arguably one of the best punchers in the division, Wladimir, [80%] knockout rate, he hit me on the chin with little 10 ounce gloves on… They bounced off my chin. I was actually surprised I could take them to be honest. I remember thinking, if he hits me with a big right hand, I’m a least going to be on the floor, my legs are going to be gone.
“But at no stage in those 12 rounds was I wobbled. So going into this next phase it’s nice to know that as I get older my punch resistance seems to have got better, which is quite heart-warming because a lot of people always assumed as soon as I got tagged by anyone who could punch, that would be it, it would be over. It’s always nice to have that in your armoury and know that you can take the best [punches] out there.”
