By Terence Dooley
David Haye’s long anticipated clash with Wladimir Klitschko looks close to completion for a July date. Haye has told the BBC that he will know the name of his next opponent in the next few days, with Wlad his desired target. David, though, is also hoping to face WBC boss Vitali should he get by Wlad, the IBF, WBO and IBO holder.
“My next fight will be in July, I hope it will be Wladimir and we should know in the next few days,” said WBA holder Haye. “I’m ready and waiting and would have had the fight already by now. After this one then fingers crossed I get his brother [Vitali].”
The former unified cruiserweight champion feels that a brace of wins over the Klitschkos will leave him with a healthy legacy once he hangs up his gloves.
“It is hard to say how well you’ve done until after you’ve retired. Long after [Lennox] Lewis retired people were asking about a rematch with Vitali. Lennox was old but he beat the guy, tore his face to pieces, and people were saying he would have no legacy unless he fought again but he did, look his record. What you do in the ring, the titles you win, gets recognized in time. I’m a very good fighter and as long people recognize what I’ve done in the ring then I’ll be happy.”
Adam Booth, however, sounded a note of caution when discussing the fight, Haye’s manager and trainer has confirmed that negotiations are ongoing, comparing them to a “quagmire”.
Certainly, the two camps have a history of coming close to agreeing terms only to hit a stumbling block or two but the fact that both sides are now discussing the fight on a regular basis suggests that there could be good news on the heavyweight horizon.
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