King Klitschko returns to the ring

Wladimir Klitschko - the king of the ring in heavyweight boxing - will take to the ring as the overwhelming favourite against underdog Tony Thompson.

The colossus they call Dr Steelhammer will defend his WBO, IBF and IBO titles against Thompson, 36, who knows it is now or never to hit the big time, come the fight in Hamburg this weekend.

Thompson insists: "I'm going to be tougher - that is what it comes down to. I want it more. He's been to the mountain top. I want to be there."

His main problem, however, will be Klitschko's right hand. The Hitman from Kazakhstan has arguably the heaviest hit in the whole of boxing and although his chin is suspect, he should have too much power.

Meanwhile, Klitschko has revealed he wants to teach David Haye, the fighter snapping at his heels, a lesson in the ring after accusing the Briton of being "aggressive" and "offensive".

Haye will be an interested observer in Hamburg, and has been scathing in his criticism of the heavyweight division in recent weeks, branding it a "total joke" and calling on Klitschko, who is 6ft 6in, to join him in helping to restore its reputation.

His views have not gone down well with Klitschko, who insists he will only fight Haye once the fighter who has won multiple belt at cruiserweight level establishes himself in the heavyweight division.

"When I met him (Haye) in London, he was overloaded with his energy and he was very aggressive - he was very offensive also," said Klitschko.

"I didn't even know about David Haye a couple of months ago, but now everybody talks about him.

"I think we will have to teach him how to behave himself in the ring. I want to give him a lesson in the ring."

He added: "I've been chased by different fighters. It's actually a compliment to me because it means that in the division fighters recognise who is the lead guy, and there is a line of people who want to fight me."

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