By James Slater: Today in Germany, at TheImtech Arena – the site of the forthcoming heavyweight unification battle between the two rulers – rival heavyweights Wladimir Klitschko and David Haye engaged in a press conference that could best be described as entertaining.
The two were scheduled to attend two press conferences last week – one in Hamburg, Germany, the other in London, England – but the conferences were postponed (leading some to fear the July 2nd fight may be in jeopardy). Now having allayed any fears the fight will fall through, the two rival champions each said their piece today. As usual, WBA boss Haye had nothing good to say about “Dr. Steel Hammer.”
Sticking to his “try and get under Wladimir’s skin” campaign, Haye – who really seems to be attempting to annoy the Ring magazine, IBF, WBO king in the hope that he will fight more aggressively, thus leaving himself open to possible counters – said the 35-year-old is a “fraud,” and a fighter who has “handpicked” his opponents.
“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,” Haye said of his forthcoming opponent. “This time he has a prime athlete at his peak and someone coming off the back of some fine victories.”
Haye, at one point refusing to accept the handshake the bearded Klitschko offered him, went further, suggesting both Klitschkos were reluctant to fight the man he out-pointed to capture the WBA strap: Nikolai Vlauev.
“This is the belt they have been claiming they have wanted for a long time but for whatever reason it didn’t happen,” Haye said. “I believe it is because Valuev didn’t fit their little, fat American MO, but I am definitely going to mess with Wladimir. He tries to pick guys who fit his style perfectly and I’m not fooled by it. Even as a cruiserweight I could have knocked Klitschko out.”
While many fans will no doubt have a hard time agreeing with Haye’s assertion that the Klitschko brothers were reluctant to fight “The Beast From The East/The Russian Giant,” it’s a dead-cert many fans will feel Haye has lot the plot somewhat due to that last statement he made. Does Haye, who it must be remembered, has just four heavyweight KO’s to his name, really think it will be so easy taking out Wladimir? To suggest he would have done so as an admittedly weight-weakened 200-pounder really is quite something.
Has Haye put yet more pressure on himself by talking and talking (and talking) about scoring the KO?
For his part, Wladimir was as gentlemanly as we have come to expect (even if he must have been miffed when Haye turned away from his extended hand). Smiling often, the suit-clad world champion even paid Haye some compliments – before assuring his rival he will be teaching him a lesson come July 2nd.
“I really respect you and you are a fantastic fighter with an impressive record,” Wladimir said to Haye. “I believe it will be a pretty good lesson in respect on July 2nd.”
If Haye is hoping he has gotten under Klitschko’s skin to the point where the Ukrainian hero will lose his cool come fight time; it’s clear he can think again. Wladimir was the epitome of a cool, calm and collected guy today.
Let’s see what London’s press conference brings.