LONDON, (Reuters) – World Boxing Council heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko promised yesterday to knock Briton David Haye to the floor if the pair ever meet in a world title fight.
Haye was outpointed by Vladimir Klitschko in Hamburg on July 2 to give the younger of the two Ukrainian brothers the World Boxing Association title to add to his World Boxing Organisation, International Boxing Organisation and International Boxing Federation crowns.
The Briton wanted to unify the world title by beating both brothers before retiring on his 31st birthday on Oct. 13. He blamed a broken toe on his unanimous points defeat and said he would be prepared to postpone retirement if Vladimir Klitschko agreed to a swift rematch.
Both brothers were angered by Haye’s trash-talking before the Hamburg fight and Vitali, four years’ Vladimir’s senior at the age of 39 but still regarded as the superior fighter, said he wished the Briton had been knocked to the canvas.
“I was so happy (when) Vladimir won the fight but I was a little bit unhappy because I wished that Vladimir sent him to the floor,” he told reporters.
“If I fought David Haye, I can promise one point. The reason why I would fight against him, just with one goal. To send him to the floor.”
Vitali, unbeaten since he was stopped by Lennox Lewis eight years ago, said he was delighted that all the belts now belonged to the one family.
“We’re very happy,” he said. “And we’re one team.”
Vladimir also emphasised the family unity.
“We did spar in the past and we decided not to spar anymore because the competition is too strong. Neither of us wants to give up and we just decided to help each and not destroy each other,” he said.