Haye: Wlad's a coward

WBA champion furious as Klitschko opts to fight Chisora

Last updated: 6th January 2011   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Haye: Wlad's a coward

Haye: Angry with Klitschko

I've had defining fights and beaten the best in the world as a cruiserweight, but, without me, Wladimir can never say he's done the same as a heavyweight.

David Haye
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WBA heavyweight champion David Haye has branded Wladimir Klitschko a "coward" for opting to fight Dereck Chisora.

Haye had looked set for a unification showdown with IBF and WBO titlist Klitschko after lengthy negotiations with Ukrainian.

However Klitschko has now announced that he will now fight Haye's fellow Londoner Chisora on April 30.

And that has left Haye angry after the 30-year-old had agreed to every concession Klitschko had wanted in order for the fight to happen.

Haye said in a statement: "We agreed to a date of July 2 at a venue in Germany with both Sky Sports and RTL and everybody appeared happy with the deal.

"We made a few concessions to remove past stumbling blocks and were happy to do so, as it finally looked like the fight would get made.

"Even through negotiations, though, it was clear Wladimir was looking for the coward's way out. He would often come up with new obstacles and problems to overcome, and I never once sensed he fancied it.

"He refused to come to England, wanted to pick his own gloves, enter the ring second, box out of the red corner and demanded a German doctor.

"He also wanted his name to feature first on any promotional material ahead of the event. We bowed to each and every one of his demands. I didn't want to potentially jeopardise anything this time around."

Retire

Klitschko has denied that the fight is off, insisting he will fight Haye on July 2 as planned after he has taken on Chisora, who he was originally due to face in December before injury saw the bout postponed.

With everything in place for a Haye bout, Klitschko nevertheless settled for Chisora, before insisting he planned to face both Britons this year.

However Haye has dismissed those claims, believing there is no way Klitschko will have two fights in nine weeks having fought just three times in two years.

The 30-year-old said: "If the fight doesn't happen now, it never will. I'm done with the Klitschkos.

"I know I can retire later this year with my head held high, knowing I did everything in my power to make these fights happen.

"I've had defining fights and beaten the best in the world as a cruiserweight, but, without me, Wladimir can never say he's done the same as a heavyweight.

"Klitschko claims he'll fight both me and Chisora, but it's nonsense. Are we expected to believe that a fighter who competed only once in the whole of 2009 and twice in 2010 is now going to box twice in a matter of nine weeks?

"A bout with me is the most lucrative, meaningful and dangerous fight Wladimir's ever had, not some throwaway tune-up.

"Wladimir won't fight anybody nine weeks after Chisora, let alone me."

Comments (23)

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Richard Hover says...

To be honest, Haye is typical of a certain kind of "fighter" that is common today. He is all style and no substance , and his whole entourage are part of a get rich quick scheme, which is working very well. But as for being a great fighter and establishing a legacy , who is he kidding ? He might beat Vladimir , he won't beat Vitali , and would a victory over either make him great? The word is thrown around too much , and should be reserved for the likes of Ali, Frazier, Louis and Holyfield.

Posted 19:10 28th February 2011

Brian Linehan says...

The Chisora fight could yet be a very tough fight for wlad and one he prob felt he had to honour. When it 1st fell through he was accused of been afraid of Chisora and now it's back on he's accused of been afraid of Haye. Look at the Klitschkos record from the last number of years, they have fought alot of tough fighters and beaten them. As I said before Haye isn't really interested in fighting them, he's mentioning retiring too much and also boasting about he's accomplishments to date which don't rank anywhere near any of the true legendary heavyweights. And as most people have already said, why doesn't he look to fight Vitali 1st. Too much boxing politics.

Posted 12:26 6th January 2011

Kristian Evans says...

Don't forget Haye was the one avoiding the fight in 2009. It's perfectly correct that Chisora gets his shot as he stepped up, when Haye disgraced boxing by fighting Fraudley Harrison ( which he proclaimed he never would). So both Klitscko's have mandatory defenses, there's only one answer if Haye wants to secure "his legacy", postpone your retirement.

Posted 12:13 6th January 2011

Aaron Knight says...

The problem for Haye is that he now has to fight Vitali who is far superior to his brother Wladimir. Wladimir doesn't stand a chance against Haye i think he himself has acknowledged this and has been quite clever in paving the way for his brother to fight Haye instead. All i can say to Haye is best of luck against Vitali... your gonna need it!

Posted 11:47 6th January 2011

Christopher Dodd says...

Its funny how most of you lot said Haye was scared to fight Wlad and never even mentioned Vitali. Now its clear to see Wlad is running scared you bring Vitali into it. Haye wants Wlad first he has made that clear but Wlad has chose to fight another no hope & wants to pass the challenge on to his brother. I did doubt Haye at first but over these past few weeks its plain to see Wlad has become a joke. They should make a Super6 tournement for all the division to avoid this rubbish. The best should have to fight the best just like they did when boxing was at the top.

Posted 11:43 6th January 2011

Sean Kelly says...

Can Haye find the courage to fight a good boxer? The Valuev and Harrison fights where an embrassment to boxing. One against an oaf and the other against a man who threw 1 punch in 3 rounds. If he's decides to retire at 31 and not fight either Klitschko his heavyweight career has been a joke. If Klitschko wants to fight both of them let him. Let Haye prove he can go toe to toe with the best.

Posted 11:31 6th January 2011

Dan Sherratt says...

There's 2 Klitschkos David, only Vitali isn't as chinny as Wlad and is a tougher fight....

Posted 11:12 6th January 2011

Gavin Hughes says...

I am sorry David but you can't really complain mate the fight with Derek was arranged first so it's only right really he get's first crack, You say about Wlad running scared what about Vitali he has no arranged opponant? You said last year you would fight both the Klitschko brothers and you need to to secure your legacy, simple Fight Vitali on the arranged July 2nd date and then Wlad or Derek later in the year. You cannot say i'm done with the Klitschko brothers when you've only knocked on the door of the little brother, I think most boxing fans know you will beat Wlad it's Vitali that people are unsure and to be honest I think David see's it as the more dangerous fight which is why he has stayed away from Vitali. More onto the other brother now or retire now as their is no point in fighting anyone else in the heavyweight division and you said it yourself you are only having 2 more fights and that's it if they are not against a Klitschko you cannot expect people to pay per view for it as it will be a mickey mouse fight, Make the fight with Vitali happen first and then fight the winner of the Wlad vs Derek later in year.

Posted 10:59 6th January 2011

Andy M says...

Should make it a double header, Wlad v Chisora and Haye v Vitali, and the Haye can fight Wlad later in the year before his planned retirement. I personally think all 3 fighters are dodging this fight, as Haye could easily reschedule his Wlad fight for later in the year rather than 9 weeks after the Chisora fight, but seems set on fighting him in July for some reason.

Posted 10:56 6th January 2011

Rob Walker says...

I wish David would stop whining and fight Vitali first, at least Wladimir had the honour to allow Chisora the fight after he pulled out. I believe Haye will now use this as an excuse to dodge both of them, grow a spine and fight Vitali.

Posted 10:31 6th January 2011

Robert Johnson says...

haye won't be fighting vitali either vitali has got a mandatory fight against Odlanier Solis to take care of first haye will probably end up fighting Tomasz Adamek as he is the only other heavyweight worth fighting in the division.

Posted 10:26 6th January 2011

Frank Lucas says...

This just shows who really wanted the fight all along. It is clear that Wladamir never wanted it and now he has his wish. David shouldn't bother with Vitali as why should he deal with either brother after this? Like David said, he can leave the sport with his head held high and Wlad will always have this hanging over him.

Posted 10:11 6th January 2011

Michael Fieldhouse says...

There are too many governing bodies with too little control over their boxing members. Boxers must be given some kind of instruction as to who they have to fight and when that fight will take place. Leaving it up to a boxers manager and/or promoter to choose their opponents is not working and does not really prove who is the best. These governing bodies must create a list of approximately 30 top rated boxers (per weight division). A boxer should then only be allowed to fight a boxer within 5 positions of himself. As a boxer beats each opponent he moves up the list (or down with losses). The coveted number one spot is then the true world champion. A lack of fighting should automatically result in three dropped positions for every 6 months of inactivity. Boxers not on the ranked list are free to arrange their own fights when they wnat and with whoever they want. Only when they fight (and win) any of the last 5 fighters on the list can they join the list and start their ascent to glory.

Posted 10:06 6th January 2011

Ryan Blundell says...

Haye Is running scared of Vitali. He moans about not fighting Wladimir when he can fight Vitali first. Haye looking for the payday and improving his record. He saw Vitali come so close to taking out Lennox he is running scaed. Haye would be knocked out by Vitali in the first 5 rounds.

Posted 10:04 6th January 2011

Paul Garvey says...

This must be a case of Vladmir wanting to hold onto to his belts for a little longer. He Knows Haye is a different calibre of fighter to the bums he normally fights. He also knows Haye will 100% retire in October so if he can dodge him until then he will remain champion. Coming out with all these ridiculous demands like wanting a German Doctor and to enter the ring 2nd is just about finding ways for the fight not 2 go ahead. Hopefully now Vitali will have the balls to step up to the plate and we will one of the klitchskos blasted out of the ring by Haye. This will most likely leave vladmir with no option but to continue hiding behind the bums he chooses to fight.

Posted 09:52 6th January 2011

Mart Wardle says...

Don't worry Wladimir we all know now that you r running scared of David, you have no match for his raw power, just like to say good luck to David haye in the future all the best.

Posted 09:51 6th January 2011

Michael Brighton says...

This is really disappointing. I personally think Wladimir is dragging things out to NOT fight David Haye. What next for Haye? A title defence against an opponent that won't cause much excitement in the heavy weight division. But, I seriously think Haye should take on Vitali early this year. Then maybe a fight with Wladimir will happen later on in the year.

Posted 09:45 6th January 2011

Chris Quinn says...

As previously said, the obvious option is now for Haye to fight Vitali. It seems a bit ignorant to Chisora for him to say he'll give Haye the unification fight after he fights him. I hope Chisora gets lucky n knocks him out!

Posted 09:39 6th January 2011

James Ofile says...

Vitali has a mandatory with Orlandier Solis and that is signed so thats why he cant fight him next

Posted 09:15 6th January 2011

Edward Denyer says...

I was under the immpression that Chisora had a clause in the contract that if an injury happened he would be able to re-neg the fight at a later date? If this is not the case Wladimir not be all the talk he says he is?! Still think if and when Haye fights one of the brothers, he will still be beaten comfortably!

Posted 09:10 6th January 2011
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