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After months of negotiations, the world heavyweight title blockbuster between Wladimir Klitschko and David Haye has finally been signed. The eagerly awaited showdown will officially take place on June 20 at a venue soon to be decided.
Former WBC, WBA and WBO cruiserweight champion Haye will challenge consensus number one heavyweight Klitschko, the reigning IBF, WBO and IBO titleholder, in the most talked-about heavyweight clash in recent years.
“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,” says the 28-year-old Haye, whose last heavyweight outing was a five-round demolition of perennial contender Monte Barrett.
“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.”
Boasting a 52-3 (46) career record, Klitschko cuts a fearsome figure at the top of the heavyweight ladder. Fresh off a one-sided stoppage win over ex-champion Hasim Rahman, Klitschko represents the ultimate test of Haye’s heavyweight ambition.
“I’ve been studying Wladimir for years,” adds Haye, 22-1 (21 KO). “I’ve watched all his fights and have noticed all his traits and habits.
“I know Wladimir better than Vitali knows him. I know Wladimir better than he knows himself. I guarantee I’ll knock him out in spectacular fashion. I’m his worst nightmare.”
Although obviously delighted to secure a shot at the world heavyweight title, Haye is aware that victory over Klitschko could symbolise something even bigger.
“I’m taking this fight to save boxing,” says ‘The Hayemaker’. “I’m doing this for Jack Dempsey, Rocky Marciano, Joe Louis, Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier and all the other great, smaller heavyweights of the past.
“I feel as though I’ve been sent by all the great heavyweights of yesteryear to clean up and save the heavyweight division. I’m a man on a mission to save boxing from this Eastern European invasion of Ivan Drago clones. The clean-up operation starts with Wladimir on June 20.”
The June 20 world heavyweight title showdown between Klitschko and Haye will be televised live by Setanta Sports.
