Klitschko manager hopes for Haye Wembley date
BERND BONTE, the manager of the Klitschko brothers, Wladimir and Vitali, insists either of his fighters are ready to take on David Haye, and has challenged the Englishman to sign a deal rather than continue to talk about one.
Haye made short work of defeating former Olympic gold medallist Audley Harrison in Manchester on Saturday night – knocking out the 39-year-old in the third round to retain his WBA belt.
Haye confirmed, after his routine victory, that a fight against either Wladimir, the IBF and WBO champion, or Vitali, who holds the WBC crown, was likely to be next on his agenda, but Bonte doubts Haye’s desire to get a fight on.
He said: “We would be more than happy to make that fight. We already had a signed agreement [for Haye to fight Wladimir], but he bailed out.”
Bonte revealed that another problem lies in the split of TV money, alleging that Haye is unwilling to share the proceeds evenly.
“We want everything in one pot, with a 50/50 split. We would like to do the fight, but as long as we have a 50/50 split. We want the biggest money in the pot.
“If that comes from a sold-out Wembley then we will go there.”
Meanwhile, Harrison could be docked his £1m pay packet after his dismal showing against Haye.
British Boxing Board of Control secretary Robert Smith said: “Withholding some or all of Audley Harrison’s purse is certainly something we will have to consider. It was such a letdown for the 22,000 people at the MEN Arena.”
COMPARISON | THE KLITSCHKOS
WLADIMIR KLISTSCHKO
Age: 34
Height: 199cm
Reach: 206cm
Alias: Dr Steelhammer
Record: won 55, (KO 49) lost 3, drawn 0.
Defining fight: Retained the IBF, WBO and IBO titles by taking Ruslan Chagaev apart in 2008.
VITALI KLITSCHKO
Age: 39
Height: 202cm
Reach: 203cm
Alias: Dr Ironfist
Record: won 41 (KO 38), lost 2, drawn 0.
Defining fight: Pushed WBC champ Lennox Lewis all the way before a cut forced him to retire after six rounds. He was ahead on all three scorecards.