David Haye has confirmed that he will fight Vitali Klitschko this summer if Waldimir is unable to fight, but insists it is the younger Klitschko brother he is gunning for first.
Haye told Sky Sports News that the contract he has signed does allow for Vitali to stand in for his young brother if Wladimir suffers some form of injury – as he has pulled out of two fights with Dereck Chisora in recent months.
WBA heavyweight champion Haye is confident Klitschko will be fit and ready to go to face him though, after so much bad blood already existing between the two men from the build-up to previous fights that did not go ahead.
“If it’s not Wladimir then I want to fight a Klitschko in my next fight,” Haye told Sky Sports News. “Ideally it is Wladimir, he’s the one who’s done this big campaign and called me a chicken.
“He put a load of terms up that I had to accept and I accepted them. I’ve got the beef with Wladimir that’s the biggest fight in the world – he’s the guy ranked number one and that’s the guy I’m going after.
Injury
“If for some reason Wladimir isn’t able to compete on that night then his brother should step up, that’s the only fair thing to do. But first up is Wladimir then next is his brother.
“With me he’s going to take his training seriously, he’s going to make sure there’s no injuries that can affect this fight – if there is any problems then his brother is going to jump in – but I’ve got as feeling that any injury Wladimir is carrying will be fine to fight me.”
Haye had to agree to a lot of stipulations to get the deal done, most notably to fight in Germany, but the Londoner feels the outcome of the fight will not be affected by the venue.
Although he accepts it is his biggest test yet, Haye is in no doubt he has all the tools necessary to take the IBF and WBO belts away from Klitschko, before adding Vitali’s WBC strap.
“I believe this is by far my biggest challenge, I believe Wladimir will be the best opponent I’ve ever faced, he’s got a lot of assets but he’s got a lot of weaknesses as well – not many fighters can exploit his weakness like I can.
“The few losses he’s had in his career were against fighters who fight similar to myself. He’s going into the unknown, as I am a bit, but he’s never fought anyone with my speed and power.”
Animosity
There is plenty of animosity between the two men, and having to deal with negotiations with the Ukrainian has not warmed him to Haye.
“The thing I don’t respect about him is the way he does business, I’ve seen some of the contracts that he makes these fighters sign, the contract he wanted me to sign with the terms – he want it his way so much.
“Boxing should be a bit of give and take but he’s just take, take, take. Finally he signed a contract where it is even, even though it’s a little bit in his favour it’s pretty much even, it’s the first time he’s done that and I’m going to make him pay for all those fighters he’s made suffer over the years.”
Haye is standing firm on his retirement plans, with him ideally hoping to fight both Klitschkos by October so he can then hang up his gloves as planned.
“I believe if this fight goes the way I’m anticipating it I’ve still set my retirement date on October 13, I still think I can squeeze in one more fight.
“Hopefully if Vitali can beat Odlanier Solis then he can be my final fight before I retire, but I’m not looking too far ahead I know Wladimir is a good fighter and I’ll make sure I’m ready for him.”
