Klitschko title fight called off due to Haye injury
More than 40,000 tickets already sold
The world heavyweight title fight between Ukraine's Vladimir Klitschko and David Haye on June 20 will not go ahead due to an injury sustained by the British challenger, Klitschko's management said this week.
"I am totally disappointed that the fight has been cancelled," Klitschko said in a statement.
"I have been training for weeks, I am in top form and was looking forward to the evening.
"I do not want to disappoint the Schalke fans and will find a new opponent at such short notice," added the 33-year-old, who had been preparing in Austria for the fight.
The Ukrainian, who holds the IBF, WBO and IBO belts, was due to fight Haye at Bundesliga football club Schalke 04's stadium in front of an estimated 60,000 crowd.
Over 40,000 tickets had already been sold with Klitschko proving to be hugely popular in Germany.
It was not clear what kind of injury Haye sustained or how soon he could be back fighting with Klitschko officials saying they were informed on Wednesday afternoon by the British fighter's camp.
"We will do everything to keep this fight night open," said Klitschko management chief Bernd Boente of the June 20 date.
"After the initial shock we will put pressure to get a top opponent," Boente said.
Haye, who became undisputed cruiserweight champion last year, had irritated the Ukrainian at a joint news conference in April with a t-shirt depicting himself holding the heads of Klitschko and his brother Vitali, the WBC heavyweight champion, and began firing insults at Klitschko.