Wladimir Klitschko has revealed he wants to teach David Haye a lesson in the ring after accusing the Briton of being ‘aggressive’ and ‘offensive’.
Klitschko insists he is entering the prime of his career ahead of his heavyweight bout against Tony Thompson in Hamburg on Saturday.
As the reigning WBO/IBF/IBO champion, he will lay his titles on the line against the mandatory challenger from the United States five months on from wresting the WBO crown from Sultan Ibragimov with an uninspiring win in New York.
The 6ft 6in Klitschko (50-3, 44 KOs) is the favourite against 36-year-old Thompson, who last year claimed the scalp of Timor Ibragimov.
And a future clash with 27-year-old Haye could follow.
Haye will be an interested observer in Hamburg, and has been scathing in his criticism of the heavyweight division in recent weeks, branding it a ‘total joke’ and calling on Klitschko to join him in helping to restore its reputation.
His views have not gone down well with Klitschko, who insists he will only fight Haye once the fighter who has won multiple belt at cruiserweight level establishes himself in the heavyweight division.
‘When I met him [Haye] in London, he was overloaded with his energy and he was very aggressive - he was very offensive also,’ said Klitschko.
‘I didn't even know about David Haye a couple of months ago, but now everybody talks about him.
‘I think we will have to teach him how to behave himself in the ring. I want to give him a lesson in the ring.’
He added: ‘I've been chased by different fighters. It's actually a compliment to me because it means that in the division fighters recognise who is the lead guy, and there is a line of people who want to fight me.’
Klitschko has been inundated with fight offers from the likes of Alexander Povetkin and Juan Carlos Gomez, but his main focus is on this weekend.
American Thompson stands just an inch shorter than the champion at 6ft 5in, meaning Klitschko is unlikely to benefit from his long reach.
Thompson (31-1, 19 KOs) also has a southpaw stance, which could cause his opponent problems.
Klitschko insists, however, that he is in perfect shape ahead of the 12-round bout.
‘I'm right now in my prime time in the sport,’ said the Ukrainian. ‘I've been 12 years in professional boxing and over 50 fights.
‘What I feel right now, and I've heard about it before, is that the beginning of the 30s - mid-30s - is the best time for the heavyweights.
‘I'd heard that and now I know it.
‘I'm 32 right now and I really enjoy the experience I have in the ring. My mental and physical abilities are really in their prime and I really enjoy it a lot.’
When asked how much longer he hopes to remain in the ring, he replied: ‘How many fights, how many years to go? I wish for many. But, as I say, I'm just entering my prime.’
