By Dan Ambrose: IBF/WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko (55-3, 49 KO’s) is going to have to be prepared to fight at a faster speed early in his fight with WBA heavyweight champion David Haye (25-1, 23 KO’s) in June or July. Wladimir’s trainer Emanuel Steward says that Haye is a faster starter and will be bringing a lot of speed and power into his fight with the 6’7″ Klitschko.

Steward said this about Haye in an interview at eastsideboxing.com: “David is not known as the type of guy who normally waits around. David Haye’s an explosive guy early and that means that Wladimir is going to have to step it up a little bit and be prepared to be attacked from a different type of speed from an opponent that he’s used to.”

It might not be in Wladimir’s best interest to punch with Haye early in the fight unless Wladimir feels comfortable with taking some big shots. Haye is vulnerable to getting knocked out if he gets hit hard, and we saw Haye get shaken up by Carl Thompson and Odlanier Solis in the past when tagged. However, both of those fighters took some mammoth punches from Haye without crumbling. Wladimir might not be able to take those same kinds of shots without getting knocked out. Steward needs to keep Wladimir on the outside using his jab early in the fight when Haye is at his most dangerous point.

However, Haye is someone that carries his power deep into his fights and he’s someone that Wladimir can’t get comfortable with at any point in the fight. The first four rounds are when Haye is most dangerous through. After that, he tires a little and is a lot more predictable in what he does. You can always expect the left hook and the lunging right hand thrown from long distance. Wladimir should easily be able to avoid those punches without problems. Haye is dangerous for Wladimir with his tendency to throw punches while in a clinch. Wladimir needs to resist clinching with the British heavyweight because he may end up getting taken out with rabbit punches.