Klitschko brothers pledge 2011 Haye bout
‘We want this fight at all costs’
Brothers Vladimir and Vitali Klitschko have issued a joint statement saying they are ready to fight Britain’s world champion David Haye in 2011.
Vladimir holds three of the current world heavyweight belts, Vitali one and Haye the other.
A fight between the 30-year-old Londoner and one of the Ukrainians has been in the offing for a long time, with Haye having already withdrawn from a 2009 bout with Vladimir due to a back injury.
But, after Vladimir’s fight with Dereck Chisora was called off 11 days ago owing to injury, the showdown has once again risen to the top of the agenda – and the Klitschkos have now given the clearest indication yet that an agreement is imminent.
“We promise that in 2011 the fight against Haye will come,” read the statement, released through Bild.de.
“We want this fight at all costs. He may choose against which of us he wants us to step into the ring to lose his world title.”
Vitali had said on Tuesday that his brother was ready to take on the Londoner, prompting Haye’s manager Adam Booth to respond: “We are now perfectly positioned to get together and make this fight with Vladimir Klitschko.
“Despite the fact we know we bring more UK television money to the table, David and I are happy to split the entire pot 50-50 and grant Vladimir the deal he has wanted since day one.
“We have offered them 50-50 on everything, just as they requested, and now see no reason why this tremendous fight can’t happen. The path is clear.”