DAVID Haye has paid heavyweight title opponent Wladimir Klitschko a rare compliment ahead of their clash in Germany on July 2.
The two have rarely seen eye-to-eye since Haye wore a T-shirt depicting the decapitation of Klitschko and his brother Vitaly ahead of a planned bout in 2009.
But the British WBA champion says that he’s seen a different side to the Ukrainian, who holds the IBF and WBO belts in the promotion of the contest.
“One thing I’ve noticed about Wladimir is that he’s doing a lot more than he usually does,” said the 30-year-old.
“Normally, he is the most uninteresting person you could think of. But this time he’s actually been quite funny. He must have had some personality lessons or whatever to change the image. He’s very concerned what people think about him and he wants everybody to like him.
Haye insisted, however, that Klitschko’s personality would count for nothing when the pair step inside the ring.
“I don‘t care less about all that. I don’t need to promote the fight because it sells itself and everybody knows who I am, the WBA champion. I just want to make sure I am ready to knock his head off.”
Haye’s trainer Adam Booth insists the fight represents the biggest test of either boxer to date.
“David’s never boxed or sparred with anyone as dangerous as Wladimir Klitschko; it will have to be the performance of David’s life,” Booth told the BBC.
“But it’s the same the other way round as well – Wladimir Klitschko has not boxed anyone as dangerous as David will be.” (Eurosport)