Klitschko, Haye Post Weigh-In: Both Talk as Fight Looms

Wladimir Klitschko weighed in 30lbs heavier than David Haye for Saturday's huge heavyweight title unification fight in Hamburg. Wladimir tipped the scales at 242.5lbs (17st 5lbs) - four pounds lighter than for his last bout against Samuel Peter in 2010. Haye meanwhile came in at 212.3lbs (15st 3lbs) - two-and-a-half pounds heavier than he was for that anti-climactic desctruction of the overmatched Audley Harrison last November.

Both men looked in magnificent shape for the biggest night of their fighting lives, as thousands of British fans produced a football-style atmosphere in central Hamburg.

Haye told Sky Sports News HD: "I just wanted to be as healthy as possible. It's the first time I'd got on the scales in a long time. I didn't put one bit of rubbish in my mouth. Everything I've been eating is organic, homegrown. I've trained as hard as I can so my weight was going to be what it was going to be. So I'm very happy with my weight, this is my ideal perfect fighting weight."

Once the weights were announced the fighters stood together for the obligatory pre-fight stare-down.

Haye added: "I don't think I'm getting under his skin. I think he genuinely thinks he's going to win this fight. He genuinely thinks I'm an annoying little Englishman that he's going to squash."

The WBA champion was in no doubt that he needs to take the initiative right from the opening bell, reasoning: "The first round is going to be imperative. I've got to land my bombs and make sure he doesn't land his, plain and simple. I can't afford to get pumped in the face by his big jab. The plan from day one has always been to take away his asset, which his jab. Take it away and dish out some of what I've got.

"I've beaten bigger guys than him before, I've shown I can stick to the gameplan. And that's what is going to happen again tomorrow night.

"I'm not leaving it to the judges, I've never left it to the judges. In Germany particularly, the support he's got over here. I'm looking to take this guy out early."

Saturday's showdown will take place before a packed house of 57,000 supporters inside the Imtech Arena. And Haye knows exactly how big this event now is.

"This is the biggest fight in boxing, plain and simple," he said.

"I think the only fight that could match it is Floyd Mayweather against Manny Pacquiao. Obviously for various reasons their fight has not happened, and won't happen this year, so this is the biggest fight to happen in boxing by far.

"I'm so proud to be involved in it and to be the guy that knocks the other unconscious is going to be a great feeling, to be the main man, at the pinnacle of the heavyweight division.

"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 says Haye's pre-fight jibes haven't gotten under his skin.

"I've been called a dead man walking before. But this dead man keeps walking!," he said.

"And you know what? It's okay the way Haye talks and represents himself. I'll definitely enjoy the fight. I've been involved in this for the last two years and David Haye has been around, talking a lot, and now it is time for the talking to end."

Contrary to what some may think, Klitschko says he has actually relished the pantomime atmosphere that Haye has created in the build-up to Saturday night.

"I really enjoy being around David Haye, I really enjoy the press conference and stuff because it's such an exciting time in my life.

"To have such attention, such an opponent and such a buzz around it. I'm actually not taking that much of it in.

"I'm angry for the last three years but it has transformed into concentration and motivation now."