Wladimir Klitschko calls for David Haye to fight him
Wladimir Klitschko has accused Britain's WBA world heavyweight champion David Haye of "running away".
Haye withdrew from a fight with the IBF and WBO title holder last June because of injury but says he is now ready to fight him, or his brother Vitali.
Responding in a video message to Haye, the 34-year-old Ukranian said: "I am officially calling you out to fight me.
"You can't run away from me forever and you need to follow through with this fight to get respect. I'm ready."
Kiltschko also accused 29-year-old Haye of ducking a fight with Vitali.
Haye entered talks with Wladimir's older brother but opted instead to challenge Nikolay Valuev in November, winning that fight on a majority decision to claim the WBA title.
BEN DIRS BLOG
Vitali and Wladimir will know that unless Haye is disposed of, their own legacies will be tarnished
That was followed by a successful defence against American John Ruiz on 3 April, after which Haye said he would "take on the Klitschkos now, no doubt about it."
Haye's contract with Valuev had a rematch clause in it, but the Londoner is keen to avoid facing the giant Russian again.
"I'd like to fight again this year, in October or November," he said, while earmarking the 80,000-capacity Wembley Stadium as his preferred venue.
"I wouldn't have any qualms about fighting anyone. Look at my career to date - I'll fight anybody and go anywhere."
Haye targets Klitschko fight this year
Vitali's next fight is against London-based Pole Albert Sosnowski next month, while Wladimir knocked out Eddie Chambers in March in the 12th round of a sterile contest.
Haye withdrew from a planned fight against Wladimir with a back injury he suffered in training.
Before the injury, Haye had infuriated the Klitschko camp by appearing in a T-shirt bearing a picture of himself holding the decapitated heads of Vitali and Wladimir.
Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/8615884.stm
Wladimir Klitschko has accused Britain's WBA world heavyweight champion David Haye of "running away".
Haye withdrew from a fight with the IBF and WBO title holder last June because of injury but says he is now ready to fight him, or his brother Vitali.
Responding in a video message to Haye, the 34-year-old Ukranian said: "I am officially calling you out to fight me.
"You can't run away from me forever and you need to follow through with this fight to get respect. I'm ready."
Kiltschko also accused 29-year-old Haye of ducking a fight with Vitali.
Haye entered talks with Wladimir's older brother but opted instead to challenge Nikolay Valuev in November, winning that fight on a majority decision to claim the WBA title.
BEN DIRS BLOG
Vitali and Wladimir will know that unless Haye is disposed of, their own legacies will be tarnished
That was followed by a successful defence against American John Ruiz on 3 April, after which Haye said he would "take on the Klitschkos now, no doubt about it."
Haye's contract with Valuev had a rematch clause in it, but the Londoner is keen to avoid facing the giant Russian again.
"I'd like to fight again this year, in October or November," he said, while earmarking the 80,000-capacity Wembley Stadium as his preferred venue.
"I wouldn't have any qualms about fighting anyone. Look at my career to date - I'll fight anybody and go anywhere."
Haye targets Klitschko fight this year
Vitali's next fight is against London-based Pole Albert Sosnowski next month, while Wladimir knocked out Eddie Chambers in March in the 12th round of a sterile contest.
Haye withdrew from a planned fight against Wladimir with a back injury he suffered in training.
Before the injury, Haye had infuriated the Klitschko camp by appearing in a T-shirt bearing a picture of himself holding the decapitated heads of Vitali and Wladimir.
Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/8615884.stm
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