Klitschko's a fraud - Haye
David Haye has labelled Wladimir Klitschko a "fraud" ahead of their heavyweight unification bout on July 2.
WBA champion Haye claims he is in peak condition and says his Ukrainian opponent will be found out when the two go head to head in Hamburg.
Speaking at the Imtech Arena, the venue for the eagerly-awaited fight, the 30-year-old said in a press conference televised on Sky Sports News: "I have seen his style and I've seen what he does in the ring and I believe he is a fraud and the people he has fought have made him look spectacular. This time he has got a prime athlete at his peak and someone coming off the back of some fine victories."
Haye reckons both IBF, IBO and WBO champion Wladimir and his brother Vitali were scared to face former WBA champion Nikolai Valuev before the Londoner beat 'The Beast from the East' in 2009.
"This is the belt they have been claiming they have wanted for a long time but for whatever reason it didn't happen," he said.
"I believe it is because Valuev didn't fit their little, fat American MO [modus operandi], but I am definitely going to mess with Wladimir."
Haye believes Klitschko has cherry-picked his recent opponents, adding: "He tries to pick the guys who fit his style perfectly and I'm not fooled by it. Even as a cruiserweight I could have knocked Klitschko out.
"The boxing gods have decided July 2 is the day I become unified champion."
Klitschko then addressed Haye and praised him before insisting the fight would prove to be a "lesson" for the Englishman.
"I really respect you and you are a fantastic fighter with an impressive record," he said. "I believe it will be a pretty good lesson in respect on July 2."
Date published :
09 May 2011 - 13:30:03
