• Heavyweight

Vitali wants Haye clash at Wembley

Vitali Klitschko has given the thumbs-up to a Wembley showdown with David Haye © PA Photos

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A heavyweight showdown between Vitali Klitschko and David Haye has moved a step closer after the Ukrainian gave a June date at Wembley the green light.

Vitali has made clear his desire to do what his younger brother could not and knock out Haye after the Londoner upset the siblings prior to his one-sided points defeat to Wladimir in July, which saw him surrender his WBA strap.

Fellow Brit Dereck Chisora has the opportunity to ruin a potential Haye-Klitschko meeting when he travels to Munich to face the WBC champion on February 18.

However, should Vitali prevail - as he is expected to - the path will be clear for the 40-year-old to have his shot at Haye - should the Briton be tempted out of retirement.

"I want this fight incredibly bad," [Vitali] Klitschko told boxingscene.com. "After Haye's fight with my brother, I was happy and disappointed at the same time. Happy, because Wladimir won and we had all of the heavyweight belts in our collection. I was disappointed by the fact that [Wladimir] failed to punish him with a knockout."

Such is Vitali's eagerness for the bout to happen, he is ready to yield when it comes to negotiating with Haye's camp - even if that means giving in to "inadequate" demands made by the Hayemaker and his team.

"I'm ready to make the maximum concessions in negotiations," he added. "Although Haye's demands are totally inadequate considering his situation. They are not only concerned with the money, but the distribution, the fight venue, the television rights, where his team is going to stay and even the boxing gloves.

"After all, Haye is no longer the world champion and I have the right to dictate the terms, not vice versa. But I repeat, I will make the maximum concessions, within reason of course."

Despite Haye's rather feeble showing against Wladimir, a fight with Vitali remains attractive - largely due to the razzmatazz Haye brings to the otherwise wilting heavyweight division.

With demand for the contest high, a big venue will be needed and Klitschko says he is ready to travel to England if it means filling Wembley Stadium.

"It is possible for us to fight at Wembley," he said. "In England, the Klitschko brothers have a lot of fans, so my support group at the stadium will be significant. I have no doubts that the stands will be filled to the brim. It seems to me that the most likely date is June 2012."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.