Haye: Fraud Klitschko has been avoiding big fights
BRITAIN’S David Haye has taunted Wladimir Klitschko for consistently ducking out of big fights ahead of their world heavyweight unification showdown this summer.
Haye, the WBA title-holder, meets the Ukrainian IBF and WBO champion at the Imtech Arena, Hamburg, in less than eight weeks.
“This is the belt they [Klitschko and his brother Vitali, the WBC champion] have been claiming they have wanted for a long time but for whatever reason it didn’t happen,” said the Londoner.
“The boxing gods have decided 2 July is the day I become unified champion. Even as a cruiserweight I could have knocked Klitschko out – he’s a fraud.
“He normally picks people who are injured or coming off a long lay-off. I’m a prime athlete in my peak coming off a nice long streak of spectacular victories.”
Haye, who has earned 25 wins from 26 fights, was due to take on Klitschko in June 2009 but withdrew with an injury.
He added: “I went to Germany and beat a 7ft 2in giant in Nikolay Valuev, who Wladimir and his brother have been avoiding for years.”
Klitschko responded by accusing Haye of disrespecting the 49 opponents he has knocked out.
He said: “I will show him that he is just going to be another like the 49 before, he will be No50.”