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Haye targets rise to team Klitschko

David Haye wants to fight his way into contention for a world title shot © Getty Images

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David Haye believes the MEN Arena in Manchester will be 'buzzing' when he fights Manuel Charr on June 29, as he prepares an assault to become mandatory challenger and earn a title shot with either Wladimir or Vitali Klitschko.

Former WBA heavyweight champion Haye recently announced a new partnership with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Sports, and believes that he will need to fully condition himself ahead of his summer bout with Charr.

"The sparkle's back," Haye told Sky Sports News. "Training has obviously been tough in the gym, getting my body back in condition where it needs to be stronger like Charr.

"He's a genuine heavyweight. He's a lump with lots of heart and he will fight until he's dead. Manchester Arena is going to be buzzing. I've fought here a couple of times before. Two successful heavyweight title defences were here in Manchester, so Manchester is becoming a second home. It's going to be a great night."

However, Haye believes that he will have to get himself in the mandatory challenger position for a chance to fight one of the Klitschko brothers for a world title.

"That's the position to put myself in," Haye added. "I have to be there at number one and knocking on the door and they can only sort of duck it for so long.

"They've said to me verbally that they will give me a shot. They said if you beat Dereck Chisora we'll fight you next. Well I not only beat Dereck Chisora, I knocked him out.

"We haven't heard any contact whatsoever from team Klitschko since then, so you've got to assume they're not interested. They've gone down another route trying to fight other guys, so it's one of those things."

Despite his aim to work his way back into title contention, Haye stated that his attention was firmly on defeating Charr and impressing the watching world.

"It's a great opportunity, this guy is going to be in my face for 12 rounds," Haye said. "I did it with Dereck Chisora. You know Chisora was well renowned for being tough and for being durable.

"He's been 12 rounds with Vitali Klitschko. I knocked him out in five rounds. He'd never been on the floor once, yet I knocked him out so I sent shockwaves around the world and I want to do a similar thing in this fight.

"You knock someone out, start putting in spectacular performances and the world looks up and takes note. That's exactly what I'm looking to do on the 29th June."

Hearn hailed the 32-year-old's return to the sport and believes that, following the fight against Charr, Haye will be shaping up for an exciting end to the year.

"He's the most entertaining heavyweight on the planet bar none," Hearn said. "Boxing needs David Haye back, and he is back.

"It is great news, not just for British boxing but for world boxing, as he's a great fighter and a huge personality."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.