By Keith Idec
Vitali Klitschko expects a much better fight from Dereck Chisora than what occurred the last time a British contender challenged a Klitschko brother.
“David Haye didn’t want to fight,” Klitschko said while discussing this Saturday's defense against Chisora in Munich, Germany. “He was just running away from my brother. He didn’t come in [to] fight. I expect a [different] fight from Dereck Chisora. He’s actually a fighter. He wants to in-fight. He tries to finish his opponent. I did not see that from David Haye in his last fight against Wladimir Klitschko. That’s why they both have totally different styles. Dereck Chisora is much more aggressive than David Haye.”
Klitschko considers Chisora (15-2, 9 KOs) to have about the same amount of boxing ability as Haye (25-2, 23 KOs), except that Chisora is a bigger puncher than the former cruiserweight champion who drew fans’ ire for his poor performance against Wladimir Klitschko in their July 2 unification fight in Hamburg, Germany. Despite his strong showing in a highly controversial, split-decision defeat to Robert Helenius on Dec. 3 in Helsinki, Finland, the 28-year-old Chisora is about an 8-1 underdog against the 40-year-old Klitschko (43-2, 40 KOs).
Despite his criticism, Klitschko still wants to fight Haye after facing Chisora (EPIX; 4:30 p.m. ET/1:30 p.m. PT). The WBC heavyweight champion just doesn’t know if Haye really wants to challenge him.
“David Haye is so unpredictable,” Klitschko said. “We tried to make a deal and I hope the fight comes through. But right now we’re miles away from making a contract. Right now, I don’t want to talk about [fighting Haye]. I am focused totally for the Dereck Chisora fight. I hope after Dereck Chisora that David Haye changes his opinion.”
Klitschko cannot believe Haye hasn’t agreed to terms yet for an opportunity to redeem himself.
“I gave a chance for David Haye to fight for a world title,” Klitschko said. “Every fighter dreams to fight for a world title. And I have a feeling I’ll tell David Haye to, ‘Please, please fight me. Please, fight for world title.’ Maybe he doesn’t want to do that. ‘OK, the numbers are all wrong.’ … He always tries to find excuses why it’s not happening. I hope David Haye one day will make a decision to fight me.”
Keith Idec covers boxing for The Record and Herald News, of Woodland Park, N.J., and BoxingScene.com.
