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Haye is in best shape to execute gameplan - Booth

Adam Booth says David Haye's focus is exactly where it should be © Getty Images

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Steve Bunce column

Adam Booth is predicting "one hell of a spectacle" when his charge David Haye clashes with Wladimir Klitschko next month, insisting his fighter is in the best shape possible to carry out their gameplan.

WBA champion Haye will attempt to wrestle the WBO and IBF titles off of Klitschko when the pair meet in Hamburg on July 2.

Haye was scheduled to get in the ring with Klitschko in June 2009, only for the Londoner to pull out of the contest because of a back injury.

Following his withdrawal, Haye went on to claim the WBA strap with a points victory over Nikolai Valuev and has since defended it twice, beating veteran John Ruiz and fellow Brit Audley Harrison.

And Booth believes his man is now better equipped to put their strategy into action than he would have been two years ago, declaring Haye is in "phenomenal shape".

"The basic principles are the same, it's just that now David is even more equipped than he was back then to get them off," he told Sky Sports.

"He's more experienced as well; having been through a big world heavyweight title fight against Valuev, a big guy, and defending it twice. It doesn't hurt, that experience, just as Wlad's got 50-odd fights of experience. He's in a much better place as a man.

"But I know they're both in their prime. Wlad's 35 now and he's in his fighting prime, but so's David, so you're going to get one hell of a spectacle."

Eyebrows have been raised regarding Haye's behaviour in the lead-up to the mega-fight. The 30-year-old has been much quieter than usual, refusing to trash-talk as he has become famous for.

However, Booth insists Haye's focus is where it should be - in the gym.

"I've heard him say quite a lot in the lead-up to this," he said. "As far as I'm concerned, he's making the noises that he has to make in the gym with his actions.

"At this stage of the game everyone knows about the fight and everyone wants to watch the fight. Everyone's heard the story of the t-shirt and stuff that David's done to build it up and Wladimir's reaction, so don't keep repeating it and don't keep saying the same thing.

"I couldn't care less about that. All I care about is whether David's doing what he has to do to win the fight."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.