Haye confirms Klitschko talks – Boxing

By Boxing News - 11/28/2011 - Comments

Image: Haye confirms Klitschko talks - BoxingBy John F. McKenna (McJack): Former World Boxing Association (WBA) heavyweight champion David Haye (25-2, 23 KO’s) has confirmed that that discussions are underway for him to fight WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko (43-2, 40 KO’s) in March 2012.

Haye announced his retirement just six weeks ago on October 13 which was his 31st birthday. Just last week Haye’s long time manager and adviser Adam Booth denied any knowledge of an impending return to the ring by “The Hayemaker”.

Haye was quoted by the BBC Hardtalk program saying:

“I haven’t seen any contract but there’s definitely talks going on.

“I said before I retired that I would love that fight and there’s a date in March that’s already been talked about.

“I said that I’d want to fight Vitali, the big brother of Vladimir, who beat me in my last fight. They’re the only ones I’d consider coming out of retirement for.”

Haye moved up from cruiserweight to heavyweight and took the WBA heavyweight crown with a 12 round decision over Nikolai Valuev in November 2009. After numerous false starts Haye fought a title unification fight with WBO/IBF/IBO/The Ring heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko (56-3, 49 KO’s) on July 2nd. “The Hayemaker” put on a less than stellar performance against Klitschko, after which he blamed his poor performance on an injured small toe.

Vitali for his put has a score to settle with Haye. “Dr. Ironfist” was not amused by all the trash talk by David in the lead up to the fight with his younger brother and feels that some of the comments he made were below the belt. He stated after his brother’s victory over Haye that while he was happy that Wladimir had won the fight he would like to fight David so that he could “Send him to the floor” as he put it. He called out Haye at that time and again in September prior to David’s announced retirement.

In his last fight Vitali scored a 10 round TKO over top contender former cruiserweight and light heavyweight champion Tomasz Adamek, winning every round in the process.

Since his return to the ring in October 2008 Vitali has decisively defeated all 8 of his opponents not losing a round.

Some boxing observers feel that because of his speed Haye will give a better account of himself against Vitali than he did against his younger, more athletic brother.



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