Klitschko - Haye is 'offensive'

Klitschko: prime time

Also see

• Sky Sports experts
• World champions
• On Sky TV
• Messageboards

In the run-up to his title defence this weekend, Wladimir Klitschko has accused British heavyweight hopeful David Haye of being "aggressive" and "offensive".

The reigning WBO/IBF/IBO heavyweight champion faces mandatory challenger Tony Thompson in Hamburg on Saturday night, five months after taking the WBO crown from Sultan Ibragimov with an uninspiring win in New York.

Nevertheless, the 6ft 6in Ukrainian (50-3, 44 KOs) is the favourite against 36-year-old Thompson, who last year claimed the scalp of Timor Ibragimov.

A future clash with Haye could follow, the undisputed cruiserweight world champion now moving up to heavyweight after his knockout win over Enzo Maccarinelli back in March.

Haye, who will be ringside in Hamburg, has been scathing in his criticism of the heavyweight division in recent weeks, branding it a "total joke" and calling on Klitschko to join him in helping to restore its reputation.

However, his views have not gone down well with Klitschko, who insists he will only fight Haye once the fighter establishes himself.

"When I met him [Haye] in London, he was overloaded with his energy and he was very aggressive - he was very offensive also," Klitschko said.

"I didn't even know about David Haye a couple of months ago, but now everybody talks about him.

"I think we will have to teach him how to behave himself in the ring. I want to give him a lesson in the ring."

He added: "I've been chased by different fighters. It's actually a compliment to me because it means that in the division fighters recognise who is the lead guy, and there is a line of people who want to fight me."

Prime time

Klitschko has been inundated with fight offers from the likes of Alexander Povetkin and Juan Carlos Gomez, but his main focus is on this weekend.

His opponent stands just an inch shorter at 6ft 5in, meaning Klitschko is unlikely to benefit from his long reach. Thompson (31-1, 19 KOs) also has a southpaw stance, which could cause 'Dr Steelhammer' problems.

Klitschko insists, however, that he is in perfect shape ahead of the 12-round bout.

"I'm right now in my prime time in the sport," he added. "I've been 12 years in professional boxing and over 50 fights.

"What I feel right now, and I've heard about it before, is that the beginning of the 30s - mid-30s - is the best time for the heavyweights.

"I'd heard that and now I know it.

"I'm 32 right now and I really enjoy the experience I have in the ring. My mental and physical abilities are really in their prime and I really enjoy it a lot."

When asked how much longer he hopes to remain in the ring, he replied: "How many fights, how many years to go? I wish for many. But, as I say, I'm just entering my prime."