David Haye is "enjoying" his role as the underdog in today's heavyweight super-fight against Wladimir Klitschko because he believes victory will be all the sweeter as a result. The 30-year-old WBA champion is notoriously cocky and outspoken but has historically backed up his boasts by undertaking tough challenges and coming out on top.
But Haye (25-1, 23KOs) would not have it any other way.
"I'm enjoying that. It means you get more credit afterwards," said Haye. "If I was heavy favourite then what is there to do? You beat him on points and people say 'you could have knocked him out'.
"This time around everyone thinks I'm going to lose and that's great! But to the people who are writing me off - just make sure you give me my dues after the fight and don't start saying 'Wladimir wasn't all that, he'd been beaten before', et cetera. Just say 'okay, we thought you were going to lose and you proved us wrong'.
"I haven't got a problem if someone thinks Wladimir is going to beat me. I don't take it personally, it's just their opinion. Just make sure you give me credit after I beat him."
