Haye brands Klitschko 'a fraud'
Source: Agencies |
May 11, 2011, Wednesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
BRITISH WBA heavyweight champion David Haye called rival Vladimir Klitschko "a fraud" on Monday as the duo began verbal sparring ahead of their unification fight in Hamburg on July 2.
"I have seen his style and seen what he does in the ring and he is a fraud," Haye, 30, told a news conference. "I know what he is about. Even when I was a cruiserweight I believed I could knock him out.
"For the first time he's fighting someone who's healthy, he normally picks people who are injured or coming off a long layoff.
"I'm a prime athlete in my peak coming off a nice long streak of spectacular victories.
"He wears big shoulder pads in his gown and picks guys who suit him perfectly but I am not fooled."
Klitschko, 35, who holds the WBO, IBF and IBO belts, hit back by saying he was confident he could floor Haye by unleashing his 50th career knockout punch.
"I really want that 50th knockout. It is like a golden number," the Ukrainian said.
"I really respect him. He is a great boxer with an impressive record but I will be well prepared. David Haye is going to be my 50th knockout.
"Forty nine fighters have been knocked out in the last 15 years and David Haye has completely disrespected them.
"I will show him that he is just going to be another like the 49 before, he will be number 50 on July 2, that is the way it is going to be."
Klitschko and his brother Vitaly, who holds the WBC belt, twice had fights with Haye called off in the past two years after they failed to agree on the details for the much-awaited unification fight.
Haye has a career record of 25-1 with 23 knockouts. His opponent's record stands at 55-3 with 49 knockouts.
"I have seen his style and seen what he does in the ring and he is a fraud," Haye, 30, told a news conference. "I know what he is about. Even when I was a cruiserweight I believed I could knock him out.
"For the first time he's fighting someone who's healthy, he normally picks people who are injured or coming off a long layoff.
"I'm a prime athlete in my peak coming off a nice long streak of spectacular victories.
"He wears big shoulder pads in his gown and picks guys who suit him perfectly but I am not fooled."
Klitschko, 35, who holds the WBO, IBF and IBO belts, hit back by saying he was confident he could floor Haye by unleashing his 50th career knockout punch.
"I really want that 50th knockout. It is like a golden number," the Ukrainian said.
"I really respect him. He is a great boxer with an impressive record but I will be well prepared. David Haye is going to be my 50th knockout.
"Forty nine fighters have been knocked out in the last 15 years and David Haye has completely disrespected them.
"I will show him that he is just going to be another like the 49 before, he will be number 50 on July 2, that is the way it is going to be."
Klitschko and his brother Vitaly, who holds the WBC belt, twice had fights with Haye called off in the past two years after they failed to agree on the details for the much-awaited unification fight.
Haye has a career record of 25-1 with 23 knockouts. His opponent's record stands at 55-3 with 49 knockouts.
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