Vitali Klitschko Close to Retirement, But Wants to Fight David Haye

by Scott Christ on Jul 20, 2011 12:51 AM EDT in Boxing News Analysis

Vitali Klitschko has to defend his title against Tomasz Adamek on September 3, but if he's successful, he wants David Haye. (Photo by Bongarts/Getty Images)

WBC heavyweight titlist Vitali Klitschko hinted during an HBO luncheon that he's close to retirement, but he still wants to fight family rival David Haye. From Mitch Abramson:

"I want to fight David Haye. He made a decision to fight Wladimir. I was jealous of Wladimir because he had a chance to fight David Haye because I want to kick his ass for his bad words. Maybe I can realize my vision in the future. But right now I don’t want to talk about that because without a win against Tomasz Adamek it’s just hot air."

Klitschko (42-2, 39 KO) will go on the road to Poland to defend his title against the popular and tough Tomasz Adamek (44-1, 28 KO), a former light heavyweight titleholder and cruiserweight champion who now sits as the world's top-ranked heavyweight not named Klitschko.

But I do think Vitali is very serious about wanting to fight David Haye so that he can "kick his ass." Wladimir has always been the calmer, more relaxed of the brothers. Vitali, by the brothers' own admission, is the more emotional, sometimes hot-headed of the two. And it seems that Wladimir controlling and easily handling Haye over 12 rounds on July 2 is not enough payback for harsh words and decapitation t-shirts, at least in Vitali's mind. He wants to put an exclamation point at the end of the David Haye paragraph. Or sentence, if you prefer.

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Beating Adamek and KTFO Haye would be about the best career-ending I can see to happen for Vitali. Maybe he should add whooping Valuev, just for the show.

"Sure, there have been injuries and deaths in boxing – but none of them serious." Alan Minter

by DrHenrik on Jul 20, 2011 3:13 AM EDT reply actions

Why must you give the idea of cursing us with more Valuev?

Bad Left Hook
"To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day..."

by Scott Christ on Jul 20, 2011 3:49 AM EDT up reply actions

Because his sole sight makes the blood run cold, because Vitali wouldn’t run but try to turn it into a fight, and because I want to see a tower crashing down.

"Sure, there have been injuries and deaths in boxing – but none of them serious." Alan Minter

by DrHenrik on Jul 20, 2011 4:48 AM EDT reply actions

I’m content with the idea that he’s just gone. It’s been almost two years.

Bad Left Hook
"To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day..."

by Scott Christ on Jul 20, 2011 4:58 AM EDT up reply actions

He’s offering his opinion on fights every now and then, keeping himself in the talk that way. Like recently, he called the WK – Haye fight a close decision. So that might suggest that – if WK – Haye is considered close, and Haye – Valuev is considered close as well – Valuev could somehow be considered a legitimate contender, right?
I’ve always expected him to go for one more big payday – he’d have to regret not fighting a Klitschko before too much if he wouldn’t. And I’m pretty sure that a “farewell-fight” between VK and Valuev would draw big, never minding all the qualities Valuev is lacking of in the ring.
Valuev’s not medically cleared yet, but his promoter stays optimic that he’ll be able to fight during the course of the year. If that happens, then probably in Abu Dhabi.

"Sure, there have been injuries and deaths in boxing – but none of them serious." Alan Minter

by DrHenrik on Jul 20, 2011 5:23 AM EDT up reply actions

I’d watch it. I like Valuev for the sheer incongruity of his appearance and profession weighed against the fact that he writes poetry; I confess to being a bit charmed by the latter.

I realize that the fight would almost certainly be a disaster, but I’ve become fond of European heavyweights over the past decade or so, because they seem to have very different personal histories, and very different personalities.

And who know? Maybe the horse will learn to sing.

by DrRck on Jul 20, 2011 8:49 PM EDT up reply actions

I’ve heard before that Vitali wants to “hang ’em up.” There were rumors before Solis that the Cuban might be “Dr. Ironfist’’s” final opponent. Let’s put it this way–if Klitschko loses to Adamek, then he’ll either retire or face Tomasz in an automatic–possibly mandated–rematch. After that the older Klitschko brother will likely never step in between the lines of a boxing ring again. First thing’s first–fight Adamek–which won’t be easy, even though the media think otherwise.

Hmm…I wonder, the fact that Vitali is even thinking about retirement makes me question his current dedication in training for Adamek…

by jdoro63 on Jul 20, 2011 7:13 PM EDT reply actions