Vitali lines up Haye clash

Ukrainian reveals preliminary agreement has been reached

By Rachel Griffiths   Last updated: 15th December 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Vitali lines up Haye clash

Klitschko: Set to fight Haye

In the near future I plan to fight Haye and take the title

Vitali Klitschko
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WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko has reportedly reached a preliminary agreement to fight British WBA champion David Haye.

The Ukrainian successfully defended his world title on Saturday with a unanimous points victory against previously unbeaten American challenger Kevin Johnson.

Haye earned the WBA belt after beating Russian Nikolay Valuev in November and must next fight mandatory challenger John Ruiz before he can face Klitschko.

"In the near future I plan to fight Haye and take the title," Klitschko was quoted as saying by Ukrainian daily Fakty.

"The preliminary agreement has already been reached."

Haye, who the media have reported will take on Ruiz in March or April, revealed last month he is hoping for a "mega-showdown" against Klitschko, whose younger brother Wladimir holds the WBO, IBO and IBF heavyweight belts.