By James Slater: David Haye and Wladimir Klitschko came face-to-face for the first time in two years yesterday, when they met in New York for an HBO pre-fight build-up slot. The two sat across from each other, as Max Kellerman asked the questions.
Haye says he is still buzzing from the experience of this and the other media appointments he and Wladimir had, and he told Sky Sports News how he is convinced he has gotten sufficiently under the Ring Magazine, IBF, WBO, IBO champ’s skin to make him abandon his usual “boring” tactics (Haye’s quote, not mine).
Haye, back seemingly eons ago when he first called out the younger Klitschko brother, said he wanted the champion to “come out into the middle of the ring and try and knock me out.” Haye understands how much tougher a job it will be in there with the man so much taller and longer reached than he is if Wladimir fights his with usual “jab, jab and grab” approach (again, Haye’s quote, not mine).
Haye says he is sure the fans will get a great fight on July 2nd, and that Wladimir will “go to war” with him.
“I was in New York for three days face to face with Wladimir which was fun,” Haye said. “We had two media appointments where we were sitting across the table from each other, letting each other know how we feel about each other. We are not in love with each other, put it that way. I’ve never seen him so aggressive before. With Wladimir, he tries to act all clam and cool but at one stage I was sure he was going to jump across the table and try and hit me.
“I can feel it. I know he’s up for this fight and he’s not going to come out with his usual, jab, jab and grab. I think he’s going to go to war. I can see it in his eyes, he genuinely despises me and that always makes for a tremendous fight.”
For his part, Klitschko said he will “roll over” Haye and that he is looking forward to the challenge the fight will bring. But has Haye “got to” Klitschko; has he so angered the experienced champion that he will come out looking for the brutal KO?
Personally, I think both guys will come out somewhat cautiously in the early going of the July super-fight. Despite the needle, both know the huge stakes and will not make any foolish defensive lapses. Once the first couple of rounds have passed, we will, in my opinion, have a good idea who is going to win. Haye may feel he has scored a psychological point by making Klitschko angry – and maybe he has, who knows – but this doesn’t mean Wladimir will abandon his awesome left jab and throw wild haye-makers.
Despite what Haye says, I fully expect “Dr. Steel Hammer” to fight his usual, calm, professional fight. If, of course, Haye has succeeded in riling Klitschko into going for the brutal KO at all costs, we are in for a hugely entertaining fight!