By Terence Dooley
Wladimir Klitschko cut a relaxed, jovial figure when speaking to Sky Sports News. The Ukrainian takes on London’s David Haye in Hamburg on July 2nd with the IBF, WBO, IBO and WBA titles on the line at the Imtech Arena.
Wlad, 55-3 (49), is in Austria preparing for the unification match, the 35-year-old heaped praise on Haye; telling Sky’s Craig Slater that he is ready for the best ‘The Hayemaker’ has to offer.
“I am very happy. I love being here in the Austrian Alps. There are no distractions. I’m looking to being in Hamburg on July 2nd and facing David Haye,” enthused ‘Dr. Steelhammer’.
Adding: “I hope David Haye will show up in the ring so the fight can finally happen. We can discuss about it (the fight) back and forth but I know I will face one of the best fighters, he has heavy hands and is very fast. We can talk this hot air on either side but I’m preparing for the toughest opponent I’ve ever fought.
“I am fighting an opponent who has certain skills in the ring, that is my first challenge, titles and other things are nice to have but I am facing a man in the ring, looking to his skills and preparing.”
The fight is attracting plenty of attention. Wlad, though, is enjoying the build up; he was quick to point out that massive fights in huge football venues are a normal occurrence when you bear the Klitschko name.
“It is going to be a fight with a lot of attention, not just worldwide but also fifty thousand people looking at you in the middle of the ring. It is my fourth event in a row at a soccer stadium and it gives you a lot of excitement. We have journalists from Russia, the Ukraine, Britain, the US, Germany and we can’t forget the Austrians because I’m on Austrian soil,” smiled Wlad, who believes that Haye will come to the ring in optimum shape.
“I think he is taking this fight seriously, he can talk a lot of nonsense but he knows he is facing a man that has a lot of experience. I know exactly what to expect and that is what I’m preparing for.”
The 6’ 6½’’ behemoth believes that Haye, 25-1 (23), will have no option but to shake the ‘magic hand’ once the dust has settled on their grudge match. “Shake the champ’s hand, shake it, you didn’t want to shake it when we were in the same room but eventually you will want to shake it,” joked Wlad as he sent out a final message to his opponent.
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