Haye's Manager: Klitschko Deal Possibly Done Next Week

By Chris LaBate

Adam Booth, manager and trainer for WBA heavyweight champion David Haye (25-1, 23 KOs), says a deal to fight IBO/IBF/WBO champion Wladimir Klitschko (55-3, 49KOs) could be finalized by the end of next week. Klitschko, citing an abdominal injury, withdrew from his scheduled fight with Dereck Chisora. The bout was set for April 30 but Haye, and several members of his team, felt the Chisora date was too close to a proposed date of July 2 for the Klitschko unification.

Pursuant to the fight contract with Chisora, Klitschko has 30-days to reach an agreement with Haye, or the Chisora fight has to be rescheduled. Klitschko was originally set to face Chisora in December. He withdrew with the lingering ab injury. Klitschko was forced to reschedule the Chisora fight for the April date, because he couldn't reach a deal with Haye within the 30-day window.

"We're very very close," Booth said. "Everything seems to be going better than ever at the moment. David's ready."