Wladimir Klitschko Vs. David Haye - Fight Odds And Prediction

Wladimir Klitschko is going to head into the ring tonight to face David Haye as a big, but not huge betting favorite. It’s no shock that Haye, a much smaller man, will enter the ring as the underdog. But for any former cruiserweight to enter the ring as close in odds to the clear #1 heavyweight in the world is impressive.

Klitschko is checking in at between -250 and -190 while Haye is +155 to +190. Compare that to Wladimir’s last bout against Samuel Peter, a fight where Klitschko was a -1200 favorite, his bout vs. Eddie Chambers (Wlad - 800) or his fight against Ruslan Chagaev (Wlad -800) and you realize that Haye is not a run of the mill opponent.

If I’m betting on the fight, there is no doubt that I want to put my money on Klitschko. He has the reach and size that will allow him to use his great jab to score and then clinch up when the smaller Haye gets inside to do work. -190 odds on Klitschko are so rare that it’s hard to not jump all over a line like that.

The entire fight is going to come down to distance. If Klitschko can keep Haye on the end of his punches it will be a horrible night for Haye. But if Haye’s speed allows him to get inside, land power shots and then get back out of danger, this could be a night where the entire balance of power in the heavyweight division shifts.

Official SB Nation Prediction: Early on I felt that Klitschko’s history of being knocked down and out could catch up with him in this fight. But during his 13 fight win streak he seems to have altered his style and hides his chin very well. I also think that an angry Wladimir might be a very dangerous Wladimir.

Personally, I see three rounds of Wladimir working the jab and breaking Haye’s will before unloading a straight right hand in the fourth round that ends the fight. Wladimir Klitschko by TKO, round 4.