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David Haye: ‘Anthony Joshua to make easy work of Wladimir Klitschko’

David Haye spoke exclusively to Yahoo Sport UK on Anthony Joshua and the ‘grating’ Tony Bellew.

Britain Boxing - David Haye Media Day - Hayemaker Gym, London - 13/10/16 David Haye during the media day Action Images via Reuters / Matthew Childs Livepic EDITORIAL USE ONLY. (REUTERS)

David Haye says that there is ‘No way I can see Wladimir Klitschko reaching the final bell’ in his rumoured December 10th bout, and he he wants to face the winner in a 2017 mega-fight.

Haye told Yahoo Sport  “I see Anthony winning that conclusively. Against Fury, Klitschko showed he is a shadow of his former self. Joshua is on the up, plus Klitschko hasn’t had a fight for a year. He’s a fighter who needs to fight three or four times a year, It’s what he’s used to.” said Haye. “Coupled with the fact Joshua has been fighting a lot it doesn’t bode well. I’d be very surprised if Wlad hears the final bell. Anthony Joshua will shine brightly in this. It’s his perfect fight really”.

And would Bermondsey-born Haye fancy taking on the winner?

“Very much so and they know that. There has been talk about early next year. Huge football stadium fight, but we’ve both got a few hurdles to overcome between then and now. If we both keep winning, a collision, unification fight at heavyweight would be amazing for the British fans”.

A fighter who is coming more closely into focus for Haye is WBC cruiserweight champion Tony Bellew. The Liverpudlian called out Haye earlier this week after knocking out American BJ Flores after a fourth knockdown in round three. Bellew referred to Haye who was working ringside as pundit as ‘Spongebob’ and said Haye was ‘conning the British public’ with his most recent comeback against lesser names Mark de Mori and Arnold Gjergjaj.

David Haye
David Haye

Bellew also invited Haye to come down from Heavyweight to Cruiser to take him on. This is something Haye has absolutely no interest in.

“I wouldn’t want to adjust my training or diet for Tony Bellew, if he wants the big fight, he can come up to heavyweight. I’m not phased by it. It’s fun fight, one for the fans.”

“I was anticipating a lot more negativity when I was in Liverpool but I was out and about in cabs and they all seem to want me to knock out Tony Bellew. Being from Liverpool, I thought they would support their local lad but I didn’t meet one person who wanted him to win”

“Maybe they wouldn’t say that to my face, but he comes across badly, he’s not a great representation of what Liverpudlians are like. People from Liverpool are hospitable, polite, kind and fun. He’s the worst person to be around, a grating personality who can’t stop talking about how great he is and people want him shut up.”

“Credit to him, he’s won a title at cruiserweight. He deserves a big payday. He was great playing himself in Creed. They clearly said just be yourself, don’t act, and you’ll be fine. He was great playing himself”

“But this ain’t no movie, I can knock him out with a hard jab. That’s all it will take”.

Bellew also contends that he would knock Haye out with one punch, a suggestion which Haye laughs off.

“In his mind he can do that. But a lot of people think they can beat Usain Bolt which isn’t happening either”

“Wladimir Klitschko hit me on the chin and he couldn’t knock me down and he punches a lot harder than Tony Bellew. A lot of big heavyweights have tried to knock me out and have failed so if he thinks he can do it, bring it on. I think his shots will bounce off me. My shots would be felt. I’d drill him conclusively”.

David Haye was at the Royal Albert Hall as the Former World Heavyweight Champion worked with music therapy charity Nordoff Robbins and was keen to give an insight into the work they do and how music plays a huge part in his life

Haye says “I met a young girl call Lauren today who has learning difficulties and she was able to express herself through the medium of music. She can’t talk currently, but she had fun using instruments, working really closely with her therapist as currently talking to her won’t engage her the same way music can and that is what Nordoff Robbins does for Laura and other people in similar situations.

They work with young and old who can’t respond to words for many reasons but can be reached with music. It’s a wonderful charity which uses music to engage, connect and heal.

[Tony Bellew and David Haye on collision course as pair have to be pulled apart in Liverpool]

[So, is this Anthony Joshua vs Wladimir Klitschko fight going to happen or not?]

[Tyson Fury's suspension from boxing could be a 'blessing in disguise', says trainer Peter Fury]

Haye says that music plays a massive part in everything his does every single day;

“Music can make or break my day. In the morning I listen to positive music, like Bob Marley which kicks off the day”.

“A bit of Island music which makes you feel like you are in the caribbean which works perfectly. We then go to the gym and pick it up with a bit of James Brown, Disco, Sister Sledge, upbeat 80’s stuff while I train. And then in the evening a bit of Marvin Gaye and Barry White for something more romantic. Without music I’d be lost”

He continues “Before fights I have a playlist which I make in the build up which is specific for each fight. I’m quite superstitious so if there is a day which a new song is added to the playlist and I have a bad session, I’d blame that one song and it would be taken out and never heard again! Conversely, if it’s a great session and I’ve put in a new track, that’s a keeper for the long term”.

Haye says that the power of music to take you out of yourself is so important.

“The playlist is always evolving but it’s mainly 70’s and 80’s tracks. Music is more important to me than film or TV. It’s timeless and takes you back. If I listen to Vanilla Ice it takes me back to when I was 10 years old. I remember when I was 10 years old doing a rap in a school assembly with some mates (Ed - We asked for a video but none was forthcoming!)

David Haye was working with Nordoff Robbins follow them on Twitter here @NordoffRobbins1