AFTER years of hype the highly anticipated showdown between David Haye and Wladimir Klitschko has finally been agreed for this summer.
The bout will take place on either June 25 or July 2 in a still unidentified location in mainland Europe with stadiums in Germany and Russia currently in the running to stage the £40 million event.
However, in typical boxing fashion the fight is not as clear cut as it may seem. Although Haye is due to face Wladimir he could yet face Vitali should the younger Klitschko brother not recover from a shoulder injury in time.
Wladimir, 35, has twice called off a title fight against Britain's Derek Chisora after incurring injuries during training camps and rumours that the IBF, WBO and IBO champion is again struggling for fitness.
Haye had been scheduled to challenge Wladimir in 2009 but was forced to withdraw through injury himself before going on to become WBA champion by beating giant Nikolai Valuev on points later that year.
The Londoner has twice defended his title – including the extremely underwhelming bout against Audley Harrison – since moving up from the cruiserweight division but faces a race against time in order to leave a notable impression on the division.
Haye has announced his intention to retire on his 31st birthday in October possibly allowing for a farewell fight on home turf in the autumn.
Dominance
Although the Klitschko brothers have dominated the division, in recent years it has been one devoid of stellar competition, as their titles defences Eddie Chambers and Shannon Briggs illustrate.
As a result, not only does the upcoming boat represent one of the most commercially viable bouts in modern boxing but gives both camps a rare opportunity to heighten their legacy in a sporting capacity.
Both camps had been very vocal in blaming each other for the breakdown in negotiations that has delayed the bout and the verbal sparring has started to heat up with Haye stating that Wladimir has never faced someone as good as him.
“He's never fought anyone athletic enough to get past his jab. His jab is very impressive against guys like Samuel Peter – fat heavyweights who aren't in shape.
“With my lighter weight comes more speed, more movement, more athleticism, more ability – something he's never encountered before.”
Wladimir remains unflustered whilst also dispelling any doubts that he could not be fit in time for the fight as well as making a bold knockout prediction.
“In a couple of weeks I will be ready to start preparations. I will be fit for the summer. I will enjoy the fight and in the 12th round I will knock him out.
“I will use my jab, jab, grab but then my right missile will land on his chin or temple and he'll get knocked out.”
Promoter
If Haye does indeed retire this year he will not be short of business interests to pursue. The 30 year-old already promotes himself under the Hayemaker banner and will look to gain a foothold in domestic boxing.
His protégé George Groves is also facing the most defining fight of his career so far when he faces fellow Londoner James DeGale at the O2 Arena in May.
With both fighters unbeaten and a rivalry stemming back from their amateur days, it is shaping up to be one of the most explosive fights of the year.
The early hyping of the fight has been thoroughly entertaining and demonstrates the current strength in the domestic super-middleweight division which has produced some of the most enjoyable domestic fights in the last 18 months.
Nathan Cleverly will top the Frank Warren bill in London where he will face Juergen Braehmer for the WBO light-heavyweight title in what is shaping up to be an interesting summer of British boxing.
With the UK currently having four world champions in Amir Khan, Carl Froch, Ricky Burns and the aforementioned Haye, boxing in this country is seemingly in its most productive period for some time.
Haye will be looking to take advantage of his moment in the stoplight and become the undisputed number one name in British boxing as well as enforcing his position in the sport's blue ribbon weight class.
Whatever the result, one thing is certain – Haye is going to be around in some capacity for many years to come.