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Haye deal does not specify which Klitschko he will fight

David Haye believes he will finally fight Wladimir Klitschko in the summer - but he could yet end up squaring off with brother Vitali instead © Getty Images

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David Haye could end up fighting Vitali Klitschko in Europe this summer rather than brother Wladimir Klitschko - should injury once again force the younger brother to withdraw from a fight.

On Sunday it was revealed that the two men's camps have reached an agreement on a fight - likely to take place in late June or early July - just days after Wladimir pulled out of a scheduled April 30 fight with Dereck Chisora due to an abdominal injury. The Ukrainian's manager, Bernd Boente, expects a formal announcement of the heavyweight unfication fight this week, after the two parties finally sit down and sign the prepared contracts.

"It's 99 percent," Boente told ESPN.com. "This week it will be finally signed and also announced. [But] as long as it's not signed, it's 99 percent.

"In these negotiations they were very flexible. I think all sides acted as real gentlemen. That is why we reached the goal this time."

With basic details such as the purse split - 50/50 - already agreed, once the contracts are signed the two camps will sit down and negotiate other details - including the fight venue and how and where it will be televised.

Even Haye's opponent could be a subject of discussion - it is expected he will fight 34-year-old Wladimir, but the contract stipulates that either brother could take to the ring on the night of the fight.

Vitali is scheduled to fight Odlanier Solis later this month, but as long as the 39-year-old beats the Cuban, he could yet end up putting his WBC belt on the line instead of his younger brother's IBF, IBO, WBO and Ring Magazine crowns.

"Knock on wood, nothing happens. Vitali has to win his fight in two weeks against Solis, which is a very tough fight," Boente said. "If he comes out of that fight, he is also a possibility. In the contract it says Vitali or Wladimir.

"I think it will be Wladimir to face Haye, but it's not a precondition from Adam Booth or David Haye."

It is a similar deal to the one the brothers have in place with Tomas Adamek, who has already agreed to fight one of the duo in September, dependent on how their prior fights pan out. That detail is unlikely to worry Haye, who is already targeting a subsequent bout to unify all the heavyweight world title belts.

The Englishman believes beating one will force the other to step forward and attempt to avenge family pride.

"I still have my dream of adding the final belt that is missing - the WBC belt held by Vitali," Haye said. "The best way of making sure he gets into the ring is giving his brother Wladimir a really good slap.

"When I humiliate Wladimir, take his belts, hurt him physically and mentally, Vitali will think he will have to put this monster who destroyed his brother in his place.

"I have the heart of a lion whereas Wladimir has the heart of a hyena. He cries and squeals and slips into the wilderness at the first sign of danger."

With the basic details ironed out, attention and negotiations will now move to other matters. The fight will definitely not take place in England, with Germany - where the Ukrainians enjoy great popularity - the most likely venue, although there are other options.

"It will be in a European time zone, but England is out," Boente said. "It could be one of three different stadiums in Germany. We also have three options outside of Germany. All these things will be discussed A to Z between Adam [Booth, Haye's trainer] and myself.

"In the contract we have a paragraph that we do all of these things together because that is what is best. Adam will be involved in the stadium deal. We will also talk to American TV stations HBO and Showtime. It could also be on pay-per-view in the US if we can't find an agreement."

The contract does not include any rematch clauses, although the door has been left open to that possibility if the initial bout leaves sufficient clamour for a repeat.

"No options, no rematches. One fight," Boente confirmed. "If we want to do another one and sit down afterward and see if it makes sense, we will do that. But this is a straight one-fight deal.

"It's obvious that if there is public interest in another fight, it will probably come."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.