By Chris Williams: IBF/WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko and David Haye are still locked in a stalemate, with both stuck on a few issues which are preventing the fight from reaching a deal, according to Sky Sports. The two sides are at the contract part of the negotiations and are undergoing some friction as they jockey back and forth. Adam Booth, Haye’s Manager/trainer, is working on “the core” part of the contract and once this, the most difficult part of the negotiations, there’s only some smaller items that need to be worked out and then the fight is good to go.
The bout will likely take place in London in June, Booth states, that’s something that Wladimir has no disagreement over.
Wladimir, 32, is coming off an easy 7th round stoppage of former heavyweight champion Hasim Rahman in December. Wladimir controlled the fight with his powerful jab, keeping Rahman on the outside where he was nearly helpless to land anything. In the 6th round, Wladimir knocked Rahman down with a left hook to the head. Wladimir then played it safe and jabbed away at Rahman instead of going for the kill and finishing him off. In the 7th, Wladimir unloaded on Rahman with a number of good right hands and left hooks to the head, making it necessary for the referee to step in and stop the bout.
Haye, 28, had a much less impressive performance in his last fight, stopping journeyman Monte Barrett in the 5th round in November. Haye knocked Barrett down five times in the fight, but two of the knockdowns seemed questionable.
After controlling the first four rounds, Haye was dropped by a big left hook in the 5th by Barrett. After knocking Haye to the canvas, Barrett got a little over eager and added a harmless looking left hand to the head of Haye while he was still down. At least one of the punches, perhaps the first, seemed to hurt Haye, making it necessary for him to stay down for a considerable amount of time while he recovered from the blow. In the meantime, the referee ruled the knockdown a slip, even though it seemed to have been caused by a legitimate punch. After a lengthy rest time out, Haye was able to compose himself enough to finish off Barrett.
Haye has been gunning for both Klitschko brothers for months, and has a lofty goal of wanting to beat both of them. Given Haye’s performance against Barrett, as well as his fights as history of having a weak chin, he might end up beating none of them and sent packing back to the cruiserweight division.
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