Hamburg – World heavyweight champion David Haye has opened a war of words with Wladimir Klitschko by saying he plans to beat the IBF and WBO title-holder – then knockout brother Vitali for the WBC crown.
Although the details of Haye's unification bout, planned for June 25 or July 2, against Wladimir Klitschko, 33, have yet to be finalized, Haye, the WBA heavyweight champion, says he plans to beat both the Ukrainian brothers.
Vitali Klitschko, 39, defends his title against Cuba's Odlanier Solis in Cologne, Germany, on March 19 and Haye, 30, boasts that he hopes to get the older Klitschko brother in the ring, once his younger sibling has been beaten.
“Once I have knocked out Wladimir, then its onto his older brother,” the brash Brit told German magazine Sport-Bild with his fight against Wladimir likely to be held in Germany.
“I still want two fights. First, it's Wladimir, then I hope Vitali doesn't lose against Odlanier Soldis, so I can fight him afterwards. Vitali has gotten older. I'm going to crush both Klitschko brothers.”
He was scheduled to fight each of the Klitschkos in 2009, but both fights were called off because of an injury to Haye or a problem over contracts.
In the past, Haye has taunted Wladimir by wearing a t-shirt showing an image of the Brit in the middle of a boxing ring holding aloft the severed heads of both the Ukrainian brothers, much to their irritation.
Haye won the WBA heavyweight title when he beat Russian giant Nikolai Valuev in November 2009 and has never been afraid of talking himself up.
“I have the heart of a lion,” boasted Haye.
“I have proved that by beating bigger opponents. How often has Wladimir done that, if ever? He has the heart of a hyena, he looks to fight against old, dead meat.”
