Haye v Klitschko: Favourite starts fight with 30lb advantage

Boxing Betting / Michael Lintorn / 01 July 2011 /

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Wladimir Klitschko and David Haye lock eyes at the weigh-in

"His closing comments were less provocative than the majority of his statements in the build-up, offering his Ukrainian rival slightly more respect, though he retained the swagger and assurance that he will triumph."

David Haye believes that he is at his "ideal perfect fighting weight" for his clash with Wladmir Klitschko despite weighing 30lbs less than his opponent.

There were no major surprises in the weigh-in for Saturday night's WBO, IBF and WBA heavyweight title unification fight in Hamburg as Wladmir Klitschko boasted a 30lb advantage, measuring in at 243lbs to David Haye's 213lbs.

But despite giving up over two stone to his opponent, the Hayemaker was in a typically confident frame of mind, describing himself as satisfied by the results of the final showdown before the much-anticipated bout and describing his condition as his "ideal perfect fighting weight".

The Londoner's price has come in to [2.72] from [2.76] since Friday's event. His closing comments were less provocative than the majority of his statements in the build-up, offering his Ukrainian rival slightly more respect, though he retained the swagger and assurance that he will triumph.

He said: "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.

"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. I can't afford to get pumped in the face by his big jab."

Klitschko responded with a similarly softening stance, admitting that while he remains desperate to make his nemesis pay for his hostile conduct over the last few years, he has enjoyed the opportunity to play a part in the circus that surrounds Haye's fights.

The man with one of the least inspiring nicknames in sport, Dr Steelhammer, is [1.62] to triumph and [2.38] to do so by knockout, however if he is conquered then Haye is confident that such a victory would earn him the chance to challenge his brother Vitali before retiring later this year.

The 30-year-old confirmed earlier this week that he retains his plan to quit before his 31st birthday, appearing to write off the prospect of a collision with the older Klitschko, but he has since said that he believes a bout later this year will be easily negotiable if he wins, with Vitali hungry for revenge.

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