BERLIN: Britain’s David Haye yesterday has accused Ukraine’s WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko of hiding behind the political process to avoid meeting him in the ring.

“Vitali shouldn’t use parliament as an excuse to run from the biggest and best boxing match,” Haye was quoted as saying by the weekly Sport Bild, referring to the parliamentary elections scheduled in the eastern European nation on Oct 28.

The politician: Ukraine's WBC world heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko is head of the opposition party UDAR. -AFP

The elder of the Klitschko brothers is head of the opposition UDAR party and is currently on the campaign trail after successfully defending his WBC title against Germany’s Manuel Charr on Sept 8 in Moscow.

Klitschko’s manager Bernd Boente said at the time: “If Vitali gets a role after the elections where he can make a difference, I suppose that would be the end of his boxing career.

“As a friend and manager, that’s what I would advise. The fight for democracy and against corruption is more important than a fight against David Haye.”

Klitschko, 41, has won 45 of his 47 professional fights and has previously talked about retirement, without giving a precise date.

Haye, who is 10 years younger than the Ukrainian, in July 2011 lost the WBA title on points against Klitschko’s brother, Vladimir, in only the second defeat of his career.

He had also talked of hanging up his gloves but got back in the ring on July 14, beating compatriot Dereck Chisora in London. — AFP

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