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Haye, Klitschko cancel pressconferences. Still unresolved issues!
From the guardian:
David Haye and Wladimir Klitschko have cancelled press conferences in Hamburg and London next week because "there are still issues to be resolved" – although a Haye source says the world heavyweight unification fight set for 2 July is "not in jeopardy".
Texts from Hayemaker Promotions late on Saturday afternoon to Sky and their own operatives advising of the cancellation spread mild panic in the business, given the tortuous history between the two champions.
Adam Booth, Haye's trainer and manager, did not return calls but the fighter's press officer, Elliott Worsell, said he doubted the contest would be called off.
The fighters, who genuinely loathe each other, attended a press conference in New York on Tuesday and there were hints that the biggest heavyweight fight in nearly a decade still relied on a lot of mutual goodwill.
Klitschko, who holds the WBO and IBF versions of the title, said: "He signed the contract ... again," said Klitschko – a reference to Haye's withdrawing through injury from their first scheduled encounter nearly 18 months ago. "I will not believe the fight will happen until I see David Haye in the corner across from me. Thank God he's coming into the ring first."
Haye, the WBA champion, then criticized Klitschko for twice pulling out of defences against Dereck Chisora. "I'm as worried about whether he's going to show up as he is about whether I'm going to show up," Haye said.
But there was no indication that this amounted to anything more than pre-fight hype. A layer of mystery has been added to the melodrama now, whatever the assurances of the Haye camp.
Texts from Hayemaker Promotions late on Saturday afternoon to Sky and their own operatives advising of the cancellation spread mild panic in the business, given the tortuous history between the two champions.
Adam Booth, Haye's trainer and manager, did not return calls but the fighter's press officer, Elliott Worsell, said he doubted the contest would be called off.
The fighters, who genuinely loathe each other, attended a press conference in New York on Tuesday and there were hints that the biggest heavyweight fight in nearly a decade still relied on a lot of mutual goodwill.
Klitschko, who holds the WBO and IBF versions of the title, said: "He signed the contract ... again," said Klitschko – a reference to Haye's withdrawing through injury from their first scheduled encounter nearly 18 months ago. "I will not believe the fight will happen until I see David Haye in the corner across from me. Thank God he's coming into the ring first."
Haye, the WBA champion, then criticized Klitschko for twice pulling out of defences against Dereck Chisora. "I'm as worried about whether he's going to show up as he is about whether I'm going to show up," Haye said.
But there was no indication that this amounted to anything more than pre-fight hype. A layer of mystery has been added to the melodrama now, whatever the assurances of the Haye camp.
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