By Jim Dower: IBF/WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko launched into World Boxing Association heavyweight champion David Haye, saying in an article in Reuters at Eurosport “I am ready to fight against David Haye anywhere in this world. He just needs to make the next step. Sign the contract, get in the ring and get the fight. I have no respect for this man [Haye] because he is nothing but a little dog who just runs away when the big dog turns around. It’s not about the money and the business, it’s about pride. But I think he owes it to the fans.”

Wladimir Klitschko and his brother WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko have been trying to get the 29-year-old Haye in the ring without luck since last year in June. Haye, however, has come up with an injury on one occasion, pulled out of negotiations with Vitali on another occasion. And recently, Haye and his trainer/manager Adam Booth were unable to agree to a fight with Wladimir despite Wladimir saying that he was offered a 50-50 deal with no options.

It’s hard to understand what Haye is waiting for or wants from the Klitschko brothers. Haye has said that he plans on retiring by the time he turns 31. He’s now 29, and will be turning 30 in October. He doesn’t have a lot of time left before reaches retirement age, if Haye does really intend on retiring at that age. Tired of waiting for Haye to agree to fight him, Wladimir has chosen former WBC heavyweight champion Samuel Peter to fight in September, while Vitali Klitschko is looking to step in the ring with former WBO heavyweight champion Shannon Briggs in October.

Both Klitschko brothers would much rather face Haye one after another. Haye still hasn’t decided who he wants to fight by the end of the year. Thus far, Haye has been out of the ring since April, when he defeated 38-year-old John Ruiz in his first title defense of his WBA belt. Haye is rumored to be thinking over fights against a number of opponents from Audley Harrison to Tomasz Adamek. Haye has to be careful because he’s not a natural heavyweight, as he moved up in weight form the cruiserweight division in 2008 and he doesn’t have the best chin. Haye is vulnerable to getting knocked out against any of the top 15 heavyweights. Harrison, 38, would be a good choice if Haye wants to fight in the Uk, but Harrison is a southpaw and has good power in both hands. He could mess things up for Haye if he lands one of his big left hands.