Haye steps up Klitschko baiting

Britain's David Haye stepped up his bid to goad Vitali Klitschko into the ring by accusing the Ukrainian of devaluing heavyweight boxing with title defences nobody is interested in.

Haye, the WBA champion, reiterated his desire to fight both Vitali and his brother Wladimir and was scathing about the prospect of Vitali's scheduled defence of his WBC belt against unheralded American Kevin Johnson in Berne, Switzerland on Saturday.

"I'll be watching the fight, but only because I have an interest in meeting Vitali next year," Haye said Wednesday.

"As far as the fight itself goes, it's one of the most unappealing heavyweight title fights for a while - and that's saying something.

"The fact that a title fight between a Ukrainian and an American is being held in Switzerland tells you all you need to know about the appeal of this fight.

"Heavyweight title fights should be huge events, not an after-thought in a country most famous for producing Toblerones."

Haye said he wanted to fight Vitali, the elder of the Ukrainian brothers, before age catches up with him, and also believes he is too good for Wladimir, the IBF and WBO champion.

"I want to knock out both Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko, and I don't care what order they fall in," the 29-year-old said.

"Vitali is nearly 40 years of age now and the clock is ticking if he wants to form any sort of legacy.

There are probably one million dudes in America called Kevin Johnson, and beating one of them doesn't make you an all-time great heavyweight.

"Vitali's greatest performance to date is a loss to Lennox Lewis. LONDON, AFP