Looks like there may finally be a heavyweight boxing title fight that fans can actually get pumped up about.
The showdown will be between WBO, IBF champion Wladimir Klitschko who will climb into the ring to take on WBA titleholder David Haye and is taking place at the Hamburg Imtech Arena in Germany on July 2nd. The 55,000 capacity stadium that is normally full of loyal German Bundesliga soccer fans is based in Hamburg, the country’s second-biggest city.
Klitschko (55-3, 49 KOs) and Haye (25-1, 23 KOs) have bantered over the years and adding hype to the fight is the fact Haye infamously donned a shirt showing him in a boxing ring holding the decapitated heads of Wladimir and his brother Vitali, another top heavyweight fighter.
During that March 2011 interview, Haye went on to say:
“I still want two fights. First, it’s Wladimir, then I hope Vitali doesn’t lose against Odlanier Soldis so I can fight him afterwards…I’m going to crush both Klitschko brothers.”
Haye earlier signed to fight Wladimir in 2009 but backed out of that match.
“I am very happy that Haye finally dares to step into the ring with me,” Wladimir said. “He is only trash-talking and producing stupid shirts…I’ve been waiting for this fight for over two years.”
Haye barked back keeping the trash-talking at a maximum saying:
“Wladimir has only fought wimps and cowards so far. I will show him his limitations and what it is like to fight a real champion. That is a promise.”
Used with permission of the author.
Jay Donetelli is a Tampa-based freelance sportswriter and contributor to Sports Climax.
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