• Boxing

Haye to fight Klitschko in Hamburg on July 2

David Haye beat Audley Harrison in his most recent fight © PA Photos

Enlarge

Related Links

• News: Haye can emulate Ali - Angelo Dundee
  
• News: Haye 'conceded a lot' in Klitschko deal
  
• Profile: David Haye | Wladimir Klitschko

Wladimir Klitschko's manager has confirmed the heavyweight unification bout with David Haye will take place in Hamburg on July 2.

The Haye and Klitschko camps have been working on a deal to put on the fight for some time, following a number of failed attempts, and talks progressed well last month.

The two camps agreed on a bout, but had failed to confirm a date and venue. Klitschko's manager Bernd Boente has emerged from talks with the Haye team to reveal Hamburg's Imtech Arena will play host to the fight.

"We're all very happy that this mega fight has finally been confirmed," Boente said. "We are expecting this event to be shown live or delayed in well over 150 countries.

"We had different options and held negotiations in other countries. Switzerland was in play, Ukraine and different options in Germany. But it was always the case that Adam Booth (Haye's manager and coach) and myself discussed all these things such as the different business options on the table, as partners, and then made the decision together yesterday that we'd go to Hamburg."

Klitschko is currently battling to overcome injury but Boente insisted the the slightly later date than had been forecasted was unconnected.

"The date had nothing to do with Wladimir's stomach injury," he said. "The arena could not do the week before.

"We had only two dates from (broadcasters) Sky and RTL, the key players here, and it was either June 25 or July 2.

"So it was always dependent on the stadium. In Hamburg, only July 2 was possible because of various concerts. I think two weeks later Take That play the same arena."

The Imtech Arena, home of Bundesliga side Hamburg, has a 57,000 capacity.

Haye, who has suffered just one career defeat, will put his WBA belt on the line against an opponent who holds the IBF and WBO titles.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.