• Boxing

Haye vows to emulate Ali against Klitschko

David Haye: 'It'd be the pinnacle of my caeer, it'd be the cherry on the cake' © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

• News: If Wladimir was smaller, he wouldn't be champ - Haye
  
• News: Klitschko doesn't love boxing - Haye
  
• News: Fit-again Wlad is who I'll be fighting - Haye
  
• News: Klitschko 'killed' heavyweight boxing - Haye
  
• Profile: David Haye | Wladimir Klitschko

David Haye admits that defeating Wladimir Klitschko in their unification battle would "far eclipse" anything he has achieved so far in his career.

The Brit dominated the cruiserweight division, seizing control of the three major belts, before picking up the WBA title after stepping up to heavyweight in 2008.

Although Haye has defended that strap convincingly on two occasions - against John Ruiz and Audley Harrison - he concedes that Klitschko, the WBO and IBF champion who is unbeaten since 2004, represents his toughest opponent to date.

"[Beating Klitschko would] be the pinnacle of my career, it'd be the cherry on the cake," Haye said. "I've had some big nights, but this would far eclipse anything I've done before. I've never been in an atmosphere like this will produce. There are super-fights, and this is a mega fight."

When Haye claimed the WBA belt from Nikolai Valuev in 2009, the fight was criticised as a spectacle after the challenger spent most of the bout circling the ring instead of looking to trade.

But Haye insists the Klitschko clash will not follow the same pattern, as he is intending to carry the fight to his long-time rival. "I've got to sting like a bee, I'm not sure getting into a jabbing contest with someone with such long arms is the best idea," Haye said.

"I've seen Wladimir keep people at bay with his long jab and I can't allow him to get into his groove of jabbing and moving. I've got to cut down the space, cut down his thinking time, and let the bombs fly."

Elsewhere, unbeaten British heavyweight prospect Tyson Fury has agreed a fight with Hasim Rahman on the undercard of Amir Khan's clash against Paul McCloskey on April 16.

Fury, who brings in a 14-0(10 KOs) record, will see his reputation soar if he gets the better of Rahman, who shocked Lennox Lewis to win the WBC title in 2001. The American, 38, has not tasted defeat since being conquered by Klitschko three years ago.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.