• Boxing

Klitschko urges Haye to sign '50-50' deal

ESPN staff
November 15, 2010
Vitali Klitschko hammered Shannon Briggs in his last fight © Getty Images
Enlarge

WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko has thrown down the gauntlet to David Haye by insisting that he is willing to sign a "50-50" contract in order to secure a fight between the two.

After Haye defended the WBA strap against Audley Harrison in one of the most one-sided bouts in the sport's history, he has been put under severe pressure to unify the division by taking on Wladimir or Vitali Klitschko.

The two camps were locked in negotiations last year, but talks broke down after they were unable to agree a deal on how to maximise the revenue in each of the territories. Now Klitschko has looked to bring a resolution to that dispute by offering an olive branch to the Haye camp.

"I'm ready any minute to sign a 50-50 contract. We are both world champions so let's fight. Let's make the fight in the spring time - I'm ready, the question is for David Haye," Klitschko said.

"David Haye is a great talker but the question is, is he a good fighter? If he is a good fighter he should sign the contract. I want to fight David Haye because my brother already has two world titles and I have just the one."

Although any Klitschko bout was expected to take place in Germany, where the Ukrainian siblings are revered, the 38-year-old has revealed that he would be willing to enter the ring in Britain. "I hear about the great venue of Madison Square Garden for this fight. But I'm ready to fight in Germany, the United States or Great Britain. Where the most money is on the table ... let's fight in this place."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Close

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices