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The protracted, tortuous negotiations to make the biggest match in the heavyweight division appear to have benefited from a seismic shift after brothers Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko have issued a joint statement saying they are ready to fight fellow champ David Haye in 2011.
"We promise in 2011 the fight against Haye will come," read the statement on the German newspaper Bild. "We want this fight at all costs. He may choose which of us he wants to step into the ring to lose his world title."
Haye's manager and trainer Adam Booth responded, "We are now perfectly positioned to get together and make this fight with Wladimir Klitschko. "Despite the fact we know we bring more UK television money to the table, David and I are happy to split the entire pot 50-50 and grant Wladimir the deal he has wanted since day one.
"We have offered them 50-50 on everything - just as they requested - and now see no reason why this tremendous fight can't happen. The path is clear."
Wladimir, the IBF, IBO and WBO champion, had been due to meet Haye in 2009 but the fight was called off after the Londoner suffered a back injury. "I'm going to close my eyes and my Christmas wish is for Wladimir to sign on the dotted line," Haye told Sky Sports. Haye told the BBC last week he will not delay his planned retirement - on his 31st birthday next October - to realise his dream of fighting one of the Klitschkos.
Haye and Booth visited Las Vegas to see Amir Khan beat Marcos Maidana and during this time it is thought that negotiations took place. However, to help make progress it is thought that the American representatives of the fighters - Richard Schaefer for Haye and Shelly Finkel for the Klitschkos - led the discussions.
Despite it seemingly making no sense for the vast majority of the fighters' fans, HBO money is likely to sway the staging of the event. A Vegas venue in March or April is thought to be the favoured route.
.Submitted by Ian McNeilly on 27 December, 2010 - 14:17...
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"We promise in 2011 the fight against Haye will come," read the statement on the German newspaper Bild. "We want this fight at all costs. He may choose which of us he wants to step into the ring to lose his world title."
Haye's manager and trainer Adam Booth responded, "We are now perfectly positioned to get together and make this fight with Wladimir Klitschko. "Despite the fact we know we bring more UK television money to the table, David and I are happy to split the entire pot 50-50 and grant Wladimir the deal he has wanted since day one.
"We have offered them 50-50 on everything - just as they requested - and now see no reason why this tremendous fight can't happen. The path is clear."
Wladimir, the IBF, IBO and WBO champion, had been due to meet Haye in 2009 but the fight was called off after the Londoner suffered a back injury. "I'm going to close my eyes and my Christmas wish is for Wladimir to sign on the dotted line," Haye told Sky Sports. Haye told the BBC last week he will not delay his planned retirement - on his 31st birthday next October - to realise his dream of fighting one of the Klitschkos.
Haye and Booth visited Las Vegas to see Amir Khan beat Marcos Maidana and during this time it is thought that negotiations took place. However, to help make progress it is thought that the American representatives of the fighters - Richard Schaefer for Haye and Shelly Finkel for the Klitschkos - led the discussions.
Despite it seemingly making no sense for the vast majority of the fighters' fans, HBO money is likely to sway the staging of the event. A Vegas venue in March or April is thought to be the favoured route.
.Submitted by Ian McNeilly on 27 December, 2010 - 14:17...
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