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Chisora gets second chance to fight Klitschko

Dereck Chisora has described the bout as a 'late Christmas present' © Getty Images

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Britain's David Haye has suffered a major blow with the news Dereck Chisora has rearranged his world heavyweight title clash with Wladimir Klitschko for April 30 in Germany.

Chisora was scheduled to fight the WBO and IBF champion on December 11, but was devastated when the Ukrainian pulled out with an abdominal injury.

"This news is a fantastic late Christmas present," Chisora said. "I always believed that I would fight Klitschko, and my faith has been repaid. I was a bit worried that he might try and fight an easier touch, but I think I've earned my opportunity.

"I was gutted when Wladimir pulled out of our fight just a couple of days beforehand. But now I've got another chance to take his titles away. He's a great world champion, but his time at the top is well and truly up. My promoter Frank Warren has done a great job in getting me this opportunity because there was no guarantee Wladimir would fight me again after he got injured."

With Klitschko's injury ruling him out of the arranged December 11 clash with Chisora, the path appeared clear for Haye to negotiate terms for a spring clash with Wladimir. A deal looked imminent when both Haye, and his trainer Adam Booth, said the fight was on the verge of being agreed in December but Chisora's promoter Frank Warren declared on Wednesday that his charge has won the race for Wladimir's signature.

Haye and the Klitschko brothers have been locked in talks for the best part of three years, with any potential fights unable to be made due to disagreements on finances. Talks were thought to be at an advanced stage after a 50-50 split had been agreed but it appears that negotiations stalled on the matter of the date of the fight.

German television station RTL wanted the fight to take place on April 30 but Haye's camp, determined to promote the fight as extensively as possible, were thought to have been unhappy hosting the fight a day after the royal wedding between Prince William and Kate Middleton.

Wednesday's announcement is sure to rankle with Haye, with the Londoner desperate to unify the heavyweight division before hanging up his gloves before his 31st birthday in October. It is now thought Haye will turn his attentions to WBC title holder and brother of Wladimir, Vitali.

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