Boxing: Vitali Klitschko wants David Haye fight

Mark Staniforth,Pa
Tuesday 16 November 2010 06:45 EST
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Haye is expected to fight one of the Klitschko's next year
Haye is expected to fight one of the Klitschko's next year (AP)

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David Haye has been challenged to move on from the grubby aftermath of his facile win over Audley Harrison by signing a deal to fight Vitali Klitschko in a world heavyweight title unification bout.

Klitschko has offered Haye a "50-50" purse split for the fight and says he is willing to come to England to make it happen. Previous negotiations have fallen apart due to wrangles over TV revenues.

Klitschko's bid comes as the fall-out from the dismal MEN Arena fight continues. Haye's suggestion that he bet on a third round win will be discussed by the British Board of Control, and there have also been calls for Harrison's purse to be withheld.

Klitschko told BBC Radio Five Live: "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.

"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."

Haye was left out in the cold after failing to agree terms with either Klitschko earlier this year. Instead, the brothers signed to meet lightly-regarded Briton Dereck Chisora, with Wladimir taking on the Londoner in December.

Meanwhile BBBC general secretary Robert Smith said that while he accepted Haye's subsequent insistence that he not really placed money on the fight's outcome, the board would investigate his initial comments.

Smith told Sky Sports News: "The board will consider the comments in their next meeting. We're not going to call an immediate inquiry, we're just going to carry on as normal.

"We will meet up in December as the board always does, every month. We look at the pitfalls of every show and David's comments will be looked at and we'll take it from there."

Meanwhile Smith said it would be "extremely harsh" to deny Harrison his purse despite his non-performance, which appears to have brought an end to the former Olympic champion's chequered paid career.

Smith added: "I think it would be extremely harsh to withhold money from him. However the board will look at it when the reports come in. But I wouldn't have thought so."

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