HAMBURG, Germany, May 9 (Reuters) - World heavyweight champion Vladimir Klitschko is confident he can unleash his 50th career knockout punch against WBA champion Briton David Haye in July.
"I really want that 50th knockout. It is like a golden number," Klitschko, who holds the WBO, IBF and IBO belts, said on Monday.
"I really respect him. He is a great boxer with an impressive record but I will be well prepared. David Haye is going to be my 50th knockout," the Ukrainian added after refusing to shake hands with Haye during the joint press conference.
Klitschko and his brother Vitaly, who holds the WBC belt, twice had fights with Haye called off in the past two years after they failed to agree on the details for the much-awaited unification fight.
Haye has a career record of 25-1 with 23 knockouts with Vladimir Klitschko at 55-3 and 49 knockouts.
Klitschko could win the only remaining major belt that has eluded the two brothers while a victory for Haye would drive a wedge into the Klitschko careers, giving the Briton a shot at all five belts.
The two fighters appeared at a press conference that had also been delayed for several days until contractual details for the July 2 bout in Hamburg were ironed out.
Haye, who enjoyed a stare-down with Klitschko that lasted several minutes, accused his rival of being a fraud.
"I have seen his style and seen what he does in the ring and he is a fraud," said the 30-year-old. "I know what he is about. Even when I was a cruiserweight I believed I could knock him out."
"He wears big shoulder pads in his gown and picks guys who suit him perfectly but I am not fooled," said Haye who said he had no problem fighting in Germany, the base of the Klitschko brothers.
"I really want that 50th knockout. It is like a golden number," Klitschko, who holds the WBO, IBF and IBO belts, said on Monday.
"I really respect him. He is a great boxer with an impressive record but I will be well prepared. David Haye is going to be my 50th knockout," the Ukrainian added after refusing to shake hands with Haye during the joint press conference.
Klitschko and his brother Vitaly, who holds the WBC belt, twice had fights with Haye called off in the past two years after they failed to agree on the details for the much-awaited unification fight.
Haye has a career record of 25-1 with 23 knockouts with Vladimir Klitschko at 55-3 and 49 knockouts.
Klitschko could win the only remaining major belt that has eluded the two brothers while a victory for Haye would drive a wedge into the Klitschko careers, giving the Briton a shot at all five belts.
The two fighters appeared at a press conference that had also been delayed for several days until contractual details for the July 2 bout in Hamburg were ironed out.
Haye, who enjoyed a stare-down with Klitschko that lasted several minutes, accused his rival of being a fraud.
"I have seen his style and seen what he does in the ring and he is a fraud," said the 30-year-old. "I know what he is about. Even when I was a cruiserweight I believed I could knock him out."
"He wears big shoulder pads in his gown and picks guys who suit him perfectly but I am not fooled," said Haye who said he had no problem fighting in Germany, the base of the Klitschko brothers.
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