HAMBURG — Ukrainian Vladimir Klitschko weighed in 30 pounds heavier than Britain’s David Haye on the eve of today’s world heavyweight reunification title fight.
Klitschko, the WBO, IBF and IBO world champion, tipped the scales at 243lbs (17 stone 5lbs) while Haye, the WBA champion, weighed in at 213lbs (15stone 3lbs).
The two men stared each other out before Haye broke away to tell Sky Sports News he was in great shape before the fight at SV Hamburg’s home ground where a 57 000 crowd is expected.
“It’s the first time I got on the scales for a long time,” Haye said. “I wanted to make sure I was eating perfectly, healthy, organic, homegrown. I am very happy with my weight, this is my ideal, perfect fighting weight.”
Haye added: “I don’t think I’m getting under his skin. I think he genuinely thinks he’s going to win this fight. He genuinely thinks I’m an annoying little Englishman that he’s going to squash.”
Klitschko is four pounds lighter than for his last bout against Samuel Peter in 2010, while Haye is 2-1/2 pounds heavier than in his last fight against compatriot Audley Harrison last November.
Klitschko, who has been the target of Haye’s “trash-talk” in the build-up to their fight since both men arrived in Germany, said he was not put off by Haye’s jibes and the Briton had not riled him.
“I’ve been called a dead man walking before. But this dead man keeps walking . . .” he said. “And you know what? It’s okay the way Haye talks and represents himself, and I’ll definitely enjoy the fight.
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“I’ve been involved in this for the last two years and David Haye has been around, talking a lot, and now it is time for the talking to end.”
Klitschko added that he has enjoyed the atmosphere Haye has conjured up in the build-up to the fight, the biggest in the heavyweight division for years.
“I really enjoy being around David Haye, I really enjoy the press conferences and stuff because it’s such an exciting time in my life.
“To have such attention, such an opponent and such a buzz around it, I’m actually not taking that much of it in.”
Haye is convinced he needs to take control from the start, explaining: “The first round is going to be imperative. I’ve got to land my bombs and make sure he doesn’t land his, plain and simple.”
