Steward: David Haye Will Be Wladimir's Signature Fight

By Chris LaBate

Trainer Emanuel Steward is predicting a signature performance by Wladimir Klitschko on July 2 in Hamburg, Germany. The IBO/WBO/IBF champ will face British rival David Haye, the WBA champion, in a highly anticipated unification bout. Steward, who views Haye as a very dangerous opponent, doesn't want Wladimir playing the role of a counter-puncher. He wants his boxer to put the pressure on Haye and to strike first off the jab.

"This is going to be Wladimir's signature fight, the one he will be remembered for. It is a fight he must win. Wladimir, like Lennox, loves chess, and like Lennox there are times when I am in the corner and I can see him treating a fight like a game of chess. They are men who can think too much. I definitely don't want Wladimir playing chess against Haye," Steward said.