By Terence Dooley

David Haye contacted Sky Sports to confirm that the ink is drying on a deal to fight Wladimir Klitschko in Germany.  Wlad withdrew from his proposed contest against Derek Chisora citing abdominal problems but has proven that there is no problem with his right hand by putting pen to paper on this long awaited showdown.

"I've waited for this a long time," enthused Haye.  "Finally, we have put pen to paper last night and are getting it on, I can't wait.  It is a fifty-fifty purse split and it will happen on June 25th or July the second, we're just waiting to figure out the venue in Germany.  I don't mind going to Germany, I've done it in the past, and the only way to get the fight was to go over there so i said 'Let's do it'.  I wanted it in Britain but Wladimir would have never come over here.  He's a bit precious, our Wladimir, so I've had to concede a few points, him coming to the ring second and silly little things like that, but as long as there is a ref that can count to ten then I'm walking away with the IBF, WBA and WBO titles all together, I'll be the unified champion."

Haye, 30, knows that the 6' 61/2'' Ukrainian will present him with his toughest test to date.  Wlad has been molded into an efficient, if unspectacular, fighting machine by Emanuel Steward, who has imprinted the Lennox Lewis 'break them then take them' style onto Wlad's imposing frame.  'Hayemaker' knows that he has to overcome a height and reach deficit, getting close enough to land his own blows will prove to be a big task for the Londoner.

Haye said, "His jab is the main tool, it is what he breaks his opponents up with so I will have to take away his jab.  I will take away his assets and make sure that my punches are crisper, sharper, harder than they've ever been before.  I am expecting a tough fight, a real hard night's work, but I know I can put my game plan into practice.  This is the biggest fight for boxing bar Manny and Mayweather.  It is nice and ripe, it couldn't be any riper.  It is going to happen.  I won't let the British public down."

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