Haye taunts 'Bitchko'

Haye, who is due to fight Klitschko on June 20 for the Ukrainian's International Boxing Federation and World Boxing Organisation titles at Schalke's Veltins-Arena, made his feelings clear even before he uttered a single world.

The British boxer addressed reporters wearing a T-shirt which showed him carrying the severed heads of Vladimir and older brother Vitali, the holder of the World Boxing Council version of the heavyweight title.

"Yes I have a personal dislike for Vladimir," said Haye. "He sucks, he's crap. I don't like his style. I don't like what he represents."

"He doesn't entertain. Yes he's a gentleman but you should judge a fighter on what he does once the bell rings, not what he does outside the ring.

"He doesn't give value for money, like I do. He's embarrassing, everything he does in the ring is embarrassing.

"I want him to fight like a man, not run like a bitch. Stand and fight me Vladimir Bitchko!

"I'm going to smash his head in and he will be bleeding on the floor."

Haye's recent comments have angered those who think that, even by the standards of pre-fight hype, his remarks are unacceptable.

However, the 28-year-old Haye insisted: "I haven't overstepped the mark at all. As long as he doesn't run like normal, everyone will be happy.

"I don't think I'm demeaning myself or British boxing one bit. I'm just letting him and his family know that I'm coming after them.

"I'll get Vitali to throw in the towel. If Vladimir is good enough to stay on his feet then his brother will have to save him."

Klitschko did his best to avoid being riled although he did promise to turn Haye into a "pizza face".

He added: "David should have stayed at cruiserweight. He's only had two heavyweight fights but now wants to be champion.

"He's been very provocative. He cut my head off for one magazine - that's pretty provocative so I decided to fight this boy.

"Now I see Haye with a cut off head of my brother, my family member. What's going to be next? My dad's head? My mother's head?

"Will he attack my religion, my race? This is over the edge - it's not sport. This guy will be punished.

"After 12 rounds he will be a pizza face - then I will knock him out. He needs to be taught how to behave.

"I don't want to waste my energy on this trash talk. It's embarrassing for the sport. He's a loser and I want to shut his mouth."