Hayes storms press conference and demands Klitschko fight
David Haye stormed a press conference on Saturday and demanded IBF and WBO world heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko fight him - but the Ukranian told 'The Hayemaker' to prove himself first.
Haye is moving up to heavyweight having become the undisputed cruiserweight champion following last month's victory over Enzo Maccarinelli.
The Bermondsey-born star has earmarked Klitschko as his first scalp, although the pair nearly came to blows at a restaurant when they went to discuss the super-fight on Thursday.
But Klitschko, 32, has mandatory challenges against both Alexsander Povetkin and Tony Thompson to come, and told an angry Haye to 'wait his turn'.
"In the heavyweight division, you're nothing," said Klitschko, who was speaking at the launch of 'Fight for Peace', a boxing initiative aimed at getting children off the streets of London.
"There are a line of people waiting to fight me, so get in the ring and do your job - talk is cheap."
But Haye told the champ he is the best challenger in the world and will emulate Evander Holyfield by stepping up from cruiserweight to dominate the heavyweight division.
"I don't have to prove myself - I'm the best fighter out there," roared Haye.
"I'm the undisputed champion, the number one, and I'm perfect - so we're going to get it on.
"The Hayemaker is coming for you, so don't hide. These other guys you want to fight are bums, so come and fight me instead.
"The last man who stepped up to heavyweight from undisputed (cruiserweight) champion, what did he do?
"Evander Holyfield came and won the title, and I'm bigger than Evander - you know I am, so let's bring this fight on."
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Posted by purple – 27 Apr 2008, 5:50 AM
I think he forgot boxing is a real sport not wrestling with all the arrogance and posturing and less of the real fighting going on. Perhaps after some backlash for such behavior he will learn his lesson.
Posted by MVP2008 – 27 Apr 2008, 4:45 AM
Wow, such complete arrogance is radiating from Mr. David Haye! I know this is an extremely talented boxer and I also know that arrogance is often seen as a plus in boxing, but Hayes seems to be giving himself unwarranted praise before he has really had a chance to earn it.
Posted by MVP2008 – 28 Apr 2008, 3:32 AM
Ha, good point Purple! Boxing is not Wrestling, where people have to script some scene where they will look so much bigger and tougher than anyone, without doing much to back it up! I mean... Ali was a total braggart, but he at least could back it up in the ring! Everyone respected him as a fighter, and Hayes still hasn't earned that kind of respect.