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Klitschkos: "David Haye Fight Unlikely" To Happen


http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&id=21584

this article is not from the above _link_


The Klitschko Brothers Not Likely to Fight Haye

It looks as if British heavyweight David Haye may have burned his bridges with the Klitschko brothers, both of whom Haye, 28, recently walked away from deals with. Vitali Klitschko, along with his manager Bernd Boente, don’t see likely that they’ll be looking towards Haye for a potential bout.

This could be a problem for Haye should he capture the WBA heavyweight _title_ in his November 7th bout against seven foot champion Nikolay Valuev. Haye wants to quickly get as many important fights as possible so that he can retire early, which is a stated goal of his.

However, apart from the Klitschko brothers, who hold the IBF/WBC and WBO heavyweight _title_s, there’s no other heavyweights that come close to in ability or popularity. Haye could find himself defending the WBA _title_ against heavyweights in fights that will bring him in very little money, but with a high risk.

Haye might be good enough to beat some of the heavyweights like John Ruiz, Kali Meehan and Dennis Boytsov, but Haye would be tested severely against fighters like Kevin Johnson, Lamon Brewster and Alexander Povetkin.

James "Lights Out" Toney - "The Klitschkos Have Been Ducking Me For Six Years!"

Exclusive Interview by James Slater -
40-year-old future Hall of Famer James Toney is the first to admit his showing against Fres Oquendo in his last fight back in December was in no way his best. The critics jumped all over "Lights Out" after the split decision was awarded him, and with good reason. However, back in the gym immediately after scoring what was his 71st win (with 6 losses and 3 draws), Toney says he is in great shape right now and ready to get to the top of the heavyweight division.

Set to take on the 12-5(11) Matthew Greer on September 12th, Toney is aiming for an eventual shot at one of the two Klitschko brothers - or the Klitschko sisters, as James refers to Wladimir and Vitali!

Very kindly taking the time to grant me the following interview earlier today, the all-time great had the following answers to my questions.

James Slater: It's a pleasure to speak with you, Champ. First of all, this fight you have coming up on September 12th, what do you know about Matthew Greer?

James Toney: How you doing, sir? I don't know too much about Matthew Greer. I know he's a game fighter, who'll come to fight and try his best, but it don't matter - on his best day he'll never have enough to live with me..

J.S: Have you been in the gym since your last win, over Fres Oquendo last December?

J.T: Every day! I've been in the gym for nine months. I'm in great shape and now it's time to get back at it. I wasn't happy with my showing last time out, and a lot of other people were not happy either. Everyone knows that wasn't the real James Toney (Vs. Oquendo). But the real Lights Out is back now.

J.S: Can I be rude enough to ask you what your weight is right now?

J.T: No problem. I left the gym today at 209.

J.S: 209? Wow, that's the old James Toney!

J.T: Yes sir. I'm back to the weight I was when I took out Evander Holyfield (in 2003). I want to show that I'm the best fighter in the world, the best skilled fighter out there. I'm one of the best fighters of all-time! Now I'm looking at getting back to the top of the heavyweight division.
(after the interview, John Arthur, James' current trainer/manager, spoke about how people are continually getting on his fighter's case about the weight issue. "James don't mind talking about his weight," Arthur said. "But I have to tell you that he may surprise everyone when he steps on the scale for this fight. He may weigh 209 right now but he may weight 215 tomorrow. He's a heavyweight, and even if he weighs in at 230 it's no problem. I don't want him dropping a whole lot of weight and weakening himself. He will surprise people when he weighs in for the fight, put it that way.")

J.S: Do you want a KO against Greer?

J.T: Just as long as I get a comprehensive victory, that's all that matters. It don't matter if it's a KO or a decision. I just want to get a win and then go after my goal of fighting the Klitschko sisters. They've both been ducking me for six years, and everyone knows it. It's like they think I have the plague or something! They keep talking about how great they are, yet they don't ever fight nobody, they just fight patsies. If they ever get in there with a real fighter like me they'll freeze and be KO'd - everybody knows that.

J.S: I read where your promoter, Dan Goossen, has said that if you look good against Greer a world _title_ fight may come next year. Is that what you are looking for?

J.T: Don't forget I already have a _title_ - I'm the IBA heavyweight champion. The belts don't label me. No belt makes me, I make the belts, man. I just want to continue fighting the best fighters out there, like I've always done. It's up to the public who I fight and if I get a Klitschko sister into the ring; it's up to the fans clamouring for it. Everyone wants to see me in with the Klitschkos, though, to see if they are the real deal. Everyone knows I'm the real deal. I'm the only middleweight since the great Ezzard Charles to have campaigned for so long up at heavyweight. I'm old-school, like he was.

J.S: You're talking to a fan here, James. I know I have to be impartial, but I do rate you as a true great, just like the "Cincinnati Cobra."

J.T: You know all about The Cincinnati Cobra! He was the best light-heavyweight and middleweight in history. Everyone knows Archie Moore wouldn't fight Charles for the world _title_ - that's why he had to move up to fight Rocky Marciano for the heavyweight _title_.

J.S: You want the Klitschkos, as you've said. But would a fight with Nikolai Valuev interest you if it was offered instead?

J.T: He's a joke. He's a puppet, like a sideshow. He can't even spell fight! I know David Haye is fighting him, because he [Haye] sees that as an easier option than facing one of the Klitschko sisters. But bottom line, I'll fight anyone, any time. That's been my motto for 30 years, to fight the best.

J.S: After you beat Greer, do you plan to fight again this year?

J.T: My goal, and I told my dad this the other day, is to have three more fights this year. As great as I feel now, physically and mentally, I want to fight again in October and then in either November or December. Then, in 2010, being back as brand new, I'll kill everyone I fight!

J.S: Your place in history as a great is secure. But the critics want to know why you are still fighting at age 40. I know you were born to fight......

J.T: (jumping in) I love it! I'm in great shape and I'm having fun every day in the gym. I'm the most skilled fighter in the world. Ain't no-one who can do what I do. Now I want to get back to the top of the heavyweight division. I've already beaten Holyfield, John Ruiz, Dominick Guinn, Sam Peter - even though he was supposed to be this big puncher he couldn't do nothing to me, I killed his spirit.

J.S: It's a real pleasure t speak with you, James. As I say I'm a real fan. You have often made some predictions on fights other than your own. Can I ask you your take on the upcoming Vitali Klitschko-Chris Arreola fight? Does Chris have a chance of winning in your opinion?

J.T: Thank you. Yeah, Arreola has a chance - he has a snowball's chance in hell! If he can't get Vitali out of there in the first 3 or 4 rounds he'll be in trouble - he won't be able to last the distance.

J.S: You don't think Arreola is in shape?

J.T: I can't say he's not in shape, because that's not my place to say. I mean, anything's possible, and I like Chris. But I think in his last fight, against Jameel McCline, McCline took a dive. But I wish Arreola the best.

Wladimir Klitschko Recovering From Minor Shoulder Surgery, Will Likely Be Out Of Action Until Next Year

by James Slater - It looks like the remainder of 2009's heavyweight world _title_ action will come from WBC champion Vitali Klitschko and WBA ruler Nikolia Valuev. According to his manager, Bernd Boente, in speaking to ESPN.com yesterday, IBF and WBO king Wladimir Klitschko will probably be out of action until spring of next year.

According to Boente, who spoke with Dan Rafael, "Dr Steel Hammer" injured his left shoulder during his dominant, one-sided stoppage win of Ruslan Chagaev back in June. Minor tendon surgery was necessary and Wladimir is now in rehabilitation..

"His rehab is going well, making good progress," Boente told ESPN.

As has been reported, Klitschko was in talks with his WBO mandatory challenger, "Fast" Eddie Chambers, and a talked of date for the two fighting one another was December. However, this now looks extremely unlikely, due to the shoulder injury and, as Boente says, a lack of available American T.V dates for the rest of this year.

"We want U.S TV to be on board," Boente said.

The new target date for Klitschko-Chambers is thought to be some time in the spring of 2010, although it will depend on Wladimir's healing process and available arena and TV dates.

This is slightly depressing news, it must be said. Wladimir is on a roll right now, and his dominance has continued. Chambers was really looking forward to testing the Ring magazine champion, and the fans were looking forward to seeing yet another promising U.S heavyweight getting his shot at a world _title_ - unbeaten Chris Arreola being the other one, facing big brother Vitali as he is on September 26th.

The September fight, and maybe a November date between WBA champ Nikolai Valuev and Britain's David Haye, will now be the only heavyweight _title_ action we will get to see out the year. But with the WBA still having to reach a decision as to whether or not they will sanction Valuev-Haye as a _title_ bout, there could be just one further "world" _title_ fight up at heavyweight this year.

It will be interesting to see if Philadelphia's Chambers will take another fight in the meantime as he waits for his date with destiny; after all a potential seven or eight months is a long time in which to remain idle. And how will the layoff affect Wladimir's sharpness?

Knowing Chambers, he will likely opt to box another fight as he waits for his big chance. Klitschko-Chambers will surely now be one of the fights to look forward to in the first quarter of 2010.

Exclusive Interview with Wladimir Klitschko


_link_

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/On-The-Ropes/2009/08/24/On-The-Ropes-Episode-36-Exclusive-Interview-with-Wladimir-Klitschko



As always, this week's edition of On the Ropes will start at its regularly scheduled time, 6pm ET. You can listen live by clicking the “_link_” and to chat in the blogtalk message board; you can also call into the show at (646)716-5404.

On the Ropes is back in action with hostess, Jenna J, along with my co-host Nick Powers and special weekly guest, Rumsfeld. This week’s episode will begin with a discussion about Saturday night’s fights. First up, we will discuss the controversial decision in the Juan Diaz versus Paulie Malignaggi fight. It was a close fight which could have gone either way, and yet, one judge inexplicably scored the bout 118-110 for Diaz. We will also be discussing Robert Guerrero’s impressive victory against IBF junior lightweight champion Malcolm Klassen which earned him the _title_. Finally, we will also break down undefeated middleweight prospect Daniel Jacob’s noteworthy effort against the very difficult Ishe Smith.

Three time guest Nate Campbell will also be joining us. As many of you remember, Campbell suffered a TKO loss against Timothy Bradley in a bout that should have clearly been ruled a no contest. The referee, however, missed the obvious accidental head butt which resulted in the controversial loss. Campbell appealed the decision to the California State Athletic Commission. His hearing is today, and we will speak with Nate about how the proceedings unfolded in this matter.

We will also be discussing the latest news on the boxing landscape. This week’s news is highlighted by a heated debate between Bernard Hopkins and Roy Jones Junior. We will discuss the details as they unfolded and contemplate the potential of a long overdue Hopkins-Jones rematch. We shall also analyze how we think such a prospective match-up would unfold, and whether or not the chances of such a contest actually happening is either plausible or reasonable.

Highlighting this week’s episode is an exclusive pre-recorded interview with heavyweight champion of the world, Wladimir Klitschko. Jenna and I were afforded a rare opportunity to speak with the champion, and he shared his thoughts and views with us on a variety of topics. Be sure to tune in and hear what the champion had to say.

Finally, we will be discussing this weeks upcoming matches with the "Friday Night Fights" season finale that features two world _title_ fights with Juan Urango vs. Randall Bailey for Urango's IBF junior welterweight _title_ and also power punching Tavoris Cloud vs. Clinton Woods for the vacant IBF light heavyweight _title_.

Listeners are encouraged to call in and share their thoughts on the latest boxing news and to provide questions and comments for our special guest Nate Campbell. Also, if you have any questions for our live guest and are unable to call in or access our message boards, please leave a comment here and we will try our best to get your questions out on the show.

Be sure to tune in!