Klitschko too good for Pianeta

The Ukrainian put his plucky yet out of his depth challenger on the canvas three times in total, finishing the job with a punishing right hand as he won for an 18th successive time.

He knew Haye - back in pursuit of his and brother Vitali's belts after firming up his bout with Manuel Charr - was commentating at ringside, and showed the British hopeful of what is standing in his way if he wants to get a world title back.

Pianeta was down first of all in the fourth and then walked into a jab-cross combination in the fifth. He stood for the count of both but was told there would be no more punishment when he was dumped again in the sixth.

It was Klitschko's 51st career knockout as the WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO champion extended his record to 60-3.

Haye fights Charr in Manchester on June 29 with a view to working his way to becoming a mandatory challenger for either Wladimir or Vitali Klitschko, the WBC champion.

Haye lost on points to Wladimir in Hamburg in July 2011.