Nobody can deny it, David Haye talks a good game. But the time for talking is nearly over. Tomorrow night at the Imtech Arena in Hamburg, Haye (25-1, 23ko's) faces Wladimir Klitschko (55-3, 49 ko's) in the hugely anticipated heavyweight title clash. Haye puts his WBA World Heavyweight title on the line against Klitschko's IBF, IBO and WBO belts in a mouth watering unification fight that has finally got people excited about a heavyweight bout. Boxing's heavyweight division has gone through a considerable lull over the past decade or so and this fight seems to have got the public's attention with this being billed as the most tantalising heavyweight tussle since Lennox Lewis stepped into the ring against Mike Tyson in 2002.
Much of the credit for this must go to Haye. His constant insults and jibes have fueled the interest levels of the ordinary boxing fan and got people talking. He more than anyone else has sold this fight. He has adopted many derisory tactics in the lead up to the fight including wearing a t-shirt of the severed heads of Wladimir and his brother Vitali. Some have questioned these tactics but Haye seems to be happy with the path he has chosen. He's obviously trying to get under the skin of the giant Ukranian and feels that by angering him, he may take him out of his comfort zone, making him take a more aggressive approach and in doing so, leaving him open to be hit when they finally step in the ring. While I think some of Haye's antics have been well below the belt, I don't think it has been enough to overly affect Wladimir's preparation. Klitschko is the consummate professional and it seems almost impossible to ruffle him. He has come across really well in the build up and seems to be single minded in his quest to make Haye his 50th knock out victim.
