Boxing: Haye says Ukraine ‘too dangerous’

Published on 26/09/2012 00:00

DAVID Haye has ruled out fighting Vitali Klitschko in Ukraine on safety grounds should he get a crack at the WBC heavyweight champion.

He is champing at the bit to fight Vitali after losing his WBA crown to Klitschko’s younger brother Wladimir in Hamburg last year – but only on the proviso the fight takes place in Germany.

He told SportBild: “I’ve never been to Ukraine but I have heard it’s very dangerous for a black man. There are crazy racists who have already sent me death threats. So Germany would be the best and safest place for me to beat Vitali and get out of the stadium alive.”

The Klitschkos usually fight in Germany due to television deals but Haye is unimpressed with their choice of opponent. He added: “He [Vitali] has promised the world so many times that he could knock me out. That is rubbish. I’m too fast to be blown away by a slow robot from Ukraine.

“I think the fight Haye against Vitali Klitschko is the only heavyweight fight the world wants to see. I am not interested in 
fighting against 50 wimps like the Klitschkos do. I want the big fights that no fan wants to miss.

“Vitali likes to compete against boxers who have no chance of winning. Then he tries to fool his TV station RTL and the rest of the world, that he is fighting good opponents. I can only laugh.”