• Heavyweight

Vitali's 'final' fight in doubt - hope for Haye?

ESPN staff
June 27, 2012
Vitali Klitschko beat Dereck Chisora in February © PA Photos
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WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko has dismissed widespread reports which suggested he had agreed to face Manuel Charr in September.

Klitschko was expected to battle Charr, the unheralded German who is unbeaten in 21 contests, at the National Sports Complex in Kiev, Ukraine. The bout was discussed as, in all probability, Klitschko's last before he went into politics on a full-time basis.

However, Klitschko has revealed that he never put pen to paper on a Charr clash. "My return is not set," Klitschko said, according to boxingscene.com. "It was reported that my fight will be held at the Olimpiyskiy and that even the opponent was named.

"I can verify that this information is not true. I did not sign any contracts. When I have specific information, we will immediately assemble a press conference to inform [everyone] about where and when I'm having my next fight."

The news boosts David Haye's hopes of facing Klitschko at some point this year - although not by much, because the WBC has said it will expel anyone involved in the Haye v Chisora bout on July 14.

Unless the organisation softens its stance, Haye would be pinning his hopes on Klitschko agreeing to face him outside the WBC's umbrella.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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