Published: 4 June, 2009, 11:38
Edited: 4 June, 2009, 11:38
IBF and WBO world champion Wladimir Klitshcko won't be ducking any Haye-makers later this month. The Ukrainian heavyweight's titles defense against David Haye has been called off a fortnight before the scheduled date.
The British boxer (22-1, 21 KOs) pulled the plug on the clash, citing an arm injury in training.
'Dr. Steelhammer' Klitschko (52-3, 46 KOs) said he was disappointed that the bout with Haye, which was expected to attract between 60,000 and 70,000 spectators, had been cancelled.
"I am very disappointed that the fight got cancelled. I've been in training camp for weeks. I am in top condition and I was really looking forward to fight night,” Klitschko said before adding:
“I don't want to disappoint the fans in Gelsenkirten, and I am willing to fight a different opponent instead.”
The 28-year-old Haye upset a normally calm Klitschko at a pre-match conference. He was wearing a shirt depicting the wearer holding the dismembered heads of the Ukrainian boxer and his older brother Vitaly.
The move prompted the younger Klitschko to promise a long and brutal night for the London native, before what would have been a sell-out crowd of over 60,000 in Gelsenkirten, Germany.
The Russian giant Nikolay Valuev, whose defense was also scuttled due to his opponent’s illness, is a potential replacement for Haye.