David Haye and Wladimir Klitschko came face to face for a special interview ahead of their July mega-fight in Hamburg.
The tension was palpable as they stared into each other’s eyes, with WBA champion Haye using his superior English skills to deliver his ever stinging rhetoric.
He said he could not allow the Klitschko’s to effectively unify the heavyweight division, claiming he was doing it for “the good of the boxing... for the good of the world”.
Whereas WBO, IBF and IBO champion Wladimir called his opponent a “wannabe”, and once again reiterated his desire to teach him a lesson in respect.
He also warned Haye he should forget about being a celebrity and concentrate on his preparation.
The protagonists of boxing’s latest soap opera have been engaged in a war of words ever since the Bermondsey fighter confronted an unsuspecting Wladimir at a UK charity event back in 2008.
Haye proclaimed an end to the decade of domination the Klitschko’s have enjoyed over boxing’s marquee division after unifying the cruiserweight division in with victory over Enzo Macarinelli.
He then further infuriated the Ukrainian brothers when he famously wore a t-shirt depicting him standing over their decapitated bodies, triumphantly holding their heads aloft.
In this latest interview, hosted by HBO’s Max Kellerman, both fighters predicted a knockout victory and did their best to unnerve each other before the much anticipated showdown.
When asked why he did not like David Haye, Wladimir stated: “The man has been talking a lot in the last years. The way he walks, the way he talks – flashy flash.
“David Haye is a wannabe... in my eyes and in the eyes of a lot of fans too. He is trying to make his way, and I have to give him respect, he has done it good. He has talked himself into the fight.
“I have heard a lot of things – ‘I’m going to do this, I’m going to do that’ - and then he bailed out of the fight. No medical statements, nothing... no confirmation.”
When asked the same question, Haye responded: “He is clearly a d***head. You heard him chatting just then, he hasn’t got a f***ing clue what he is talking about... just jabbering on about absolutely nothing.
“The fact is, on July 2nd, you’re getting knocked unconscious. You’ll be crawling around on the floor, just like you were against Corey Sanders and Lamon Brewster.
“You think you can jab, jab, grab me all night long... but it’s not gonna happen, I’ve got a remedy for that. You’re gonna see the difference between a tremendous little man and a good big man.”
When the prickly issue of the famous t-shirt was raised, Klitschko adopted a somewhat sombre tone and told his rival exactly what he thought of the stunt.
“It was silly, it was bad... it was definitely below the belt,” said the 35-year-old.
“There is certainly a way that you promote the fight, but that is the way you don’t do it. There are certain lines you can’t cross, no matter who you are, what you’re doing or where you come from.”
Haye turned to Kellerman and quipped: “What other t-shirt would you rather I have worn? One of me stroking them to sleep at night?
“I want the Klitschko’s heads, simple as that. You and your brother, and this year I am going to have both of them.
“If the Klitschko’s were to end up with all the heavyweight belts, what a way to s*** on the division, and I can’t allow that to happen, for the good of boxing... for the good of the world... for the good of the universe, I gotta take them belts off you.”
As the pair stared at each other for what seemed an eternity, Haye interjected: ”Oh it’s gonna be a great fight... a great fight, you can feel it, you can cut it with a knife.
“I can feel the fire, all jokes aside... I can feel he wanted to punch me across the table just then.”
Klitschko laughed off claims that he has been shaken by Haye, saying: “Keep doing your job, keep doing your job... hyping the fight.
“David Haye doesn’t have the quality to take a punch, and it’s going to be a 50th knockout.”
But Haye, never short of words, once again responded: “He thinks he is a superior boxer than me. He’s had twice as many fights, but he has got accustomed to people turning up who just there to get paid and not ruffle any feathers.
“He’s never fought anyone like me before... especially someone who is in their prime, and not fat and out of shape, or someone who isn’t coming off losses or an injury. You’re fighting someone who is ready to go to war. You have never been out of your comfort zone.
“This fight, unfortunately for you, is going to be exciting. I know you would like it to be a snooze-fest, a cure for insomnia like the rest of your fights. But this one is going to be entertaining for once.”
As the interview wound down, Klitschko left Haye with a warning.
“If I were you, I would just shut up and get back to preparation,” he said
“Don’t be happy about something that you haven’t accomplished. He needs to be taught in the ring how to behave himself and that’s exactly what I’m going to do.”
Always eager to get the last word, Haye then joked: “I’m looking forward to being taught a jabbing lesson.”
Haye has insisted he plans to retire before his 31st birthday in October, but if he was to defeat Wladimir then surely a fight with Vitali would be next on the agenda.
And that bout would throw up its own unique challenges, with the older brother considered by many as the more daunting prospect.
The highly anticipated bout will be aired on Sky Sports Box Office HD on 2 July.
You can watch the HBO interview here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lDZhnxAwS0
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