The World Heavyweight Championship fight of the year is on:
Months of negotiations have come to an end and the highly expected heavyweight fight is determined: IBF, WBO and IBO World Champion Wladimir Klitschko of the Ukraine (52-3, 46 KO’s) will defend his titles against David Haye (22-1, 21 KOs) of London on June 20.
Bernd Bönte, Managing Director of Klitschko Management Group: “I am glad that these extremely difficult and long negotiations are over and we are able to present the fight that boxing fans all over the world want to see. Both Wladimir and David are known as superb punchers and a fight over 12 rounds will be very unlikely to happen. It is going to be an unforgettable spectacle. The venue of the fight will be announced soon.“
Both opponents met several times at public events before showing their rivalry. Especially the 28-year-old Haye used every possibility to attack Klitschko. Recently, he posed with Wladimir’s cut off head in an English lifestyle magazine.
Wladimir Klitschko: “I am used to being attacked by my opponents before a fight. But David is top of the list of crudity. He has to pay the bill for it and I promise it will be painful.“
David Haye: “Klitschko’s last opponents were cowards. I will knock him out and take his belts to my hometown London. And that is not all: I will also go and get Vitali’s belt! None of them can stop me. The new World Heavyweight Champion will soon be David Haye!“
David: “The Hayemaker“ Haye was the dominating figure in the cruiserweight division of the last years holding the WBC, WBA and WBO titles. Both of his first two heavyweight fights Haye won without going the full distance. Last November he stopped former world title challenger Monte Barrett in round 5. Haye’s impressive record is 22 wins (21 by KO) and one defeat only.”
It is Wladimir Klitschko’s 16th World Heavyweight Championship. Klitschko was the first after nine years who unified heavyweight titles last year. The Olympic gold medalist of Atlanta 1996 has a record of 52 wins (46 by KO) with three defeats.
The fight will be broadcasted worldwide. In Germany hosting channel will be RTL, HBO will show the fight in the US and Setanta covers in England.
