David Haye has finally secured a shot at the world heavyweight title after agreeing a deal to fight Wladimir Klitschko.
'Hayemaker' and Ukrainian champion to meet in Germany
David Haye has finally secured a shot at the world heavyweight title after signing a contract to fight Ukrainian champion Wladimir Klitschko.
Both camps have been in negotiations for around four months and a deal has at last been agreed for the former undisputed cruiserweight champion to take on IBF and WBO champion Klitschko.
It is understood that contracts for the bout were signed late on Wednesday night for the fight to take place on June 20 with the venue "90 per cent" certain to be in Germany, according to Haye himself.
Klitschko (52-3, 46 KOs), widely regarded as the world's number one heavyweight, has won his last 10 fights and made six title defences, including unifying two of the major belts.
A spokesman for Haye told PA Sport. "Apparently the Klitschkos have got four deals in place with different locations and are basically now working out which one makes the most financial sense.
Compromise
"Everything else is agreed, it will be June 20 100 per cent."
Londoner Haye began complex negotiations for a fight with Klitschko or his elder brother Vitali, the WBC champion, at the end of 2008.
Wladimir had been the initial target before brother Vitali stepped into the fray and a deal in principle was agreed for him to take on Haye in London this summer.
That deal fell though, however, and attention returned to a match between Haye and 33-year-old Wladimir.
And, after months of negotiations, a compromise has been reached to keep alive Haye's burning ambition to emulate fellow former cruiserweight king Evander Holyfield by moving up to become undisputed heavyweight champion.
Reluctant
A relieved and typically buoyant Haye said: "I've been chasing Wladimir around the negotiating table for the past three months and we've now finally got him where we want him.
"I'll be chasing Wladimir in exactly the same manner on June 20. He's already showed me his hand through the way he's negotiated. He has never wanted this fight, and was only going to agree to it when the odds were stacked in his favour.
"Wladimir wants to feel comfortable inside the ring and at the negotiating table. He was as reluctant to put pen to paper for this fight as he is when throwing a right hand.
"He's a mentally weak fighter and has been terrified to take risks ever since he was blitzed by a semi-pro golfer (Corrie Sanders).
"Klitschko's last opponents were cowards and I will knock him out and take his belts back to my hometown London."
