• Boxing

Haye ready to rumble against 'rattled' Klitschko

ESPN staff
July 2, 2011

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David Haye believes his supporters in Hamburg have helped to rattle Wladimir Klitschko even more ahead of the pair's heavyweight unification fight on Saturday evening.

Klitschko was booed by a boisterous group of English fans on his way to the weigh-in on Friday, which saw him tip the scales with a 30lb advantage over his younger opponent.

Haye also tried to unsettle the Ukrainian with some choice words during a minute-long stare-down, and believes his antics have had an effect as the fight finally arrives.

"The support is great," Haye said. "Never before has Wladimir Klitschko been booed on the way to a weigh-in. That's the first time.

"It will be interesting to see how he deals with it. I thought he looked nervous. I rattled him.

"I'm afraid I can't repeat what I said to him in the face-to-face. It's unrepeatable."

Concerns have been raised in some quarters about Haye's physical disadvantages, with the former cruiserweight giving up both height and weight advantages to Klitschko. Yet the man from Bermondsey believes the mere fact he is in shape will come as a shock to an opponent used to dealing with unfit fighters.

"There was no real fixed plan for my weight, but I wanted to be at my lightest, fittest and healthiest," Haye said. "He's not used to someone as confident as I am or someone coming into it in shape like me.

"If you look at the last few of Wladimir's opponents they all come in with their stomachs hanging over their shorts and looking in completely and utterly disastrous condition before the fight has even started.

"So this is the first time he's actually fought a real athlete."

Haye is revelling in the media interest surrounding the fight, and firmly expects to claim his opponent's titles in convincing fashion when they finally enter the ring at the Imtech Arena.

"This is the biggest fight in boxing, plain and simple," Haye said. "I'm so proud to be involved in it.

"I believe being the unified heavyweight champion is the pinnacle of the sport and I'm looking forward to going in there and claiming my rightly deserved titles."

Klitschko, meanwhile, brushed off any questions about his boxing pedigree or the effect of Haye's antics.

"I've been called a dead man walking before. But this dead man keeps walking," Klitschko said."And you know what? It's okay the way Haye talks and represents himself.

"I'll definitely enjoy the fight. It is time for the talking to end."

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