LET’S GET READY….
David Haye’s world heavyweight title unification bout with Wladimir Klitschko will take place on 2 July in Hamburg.
The WBO champion finally agreed terms to meet IBF/WBO holder Klitschko last month on either 25 June or 2 July with several venues in contention.
Klitschko’s manager Bernd Boente confirmed that the 57,000-capacity Imtech Arena would stage the blockbuster contest after other venues, including options in Switzerland and Ukraine, were considered.
While various European venues were looked at, the fight was never going to be held in Britain for economical reasons.
Klitschko and his brother Vitali, the WBC champion, are huge draws in Germany despite being of Ukrainian nationality, while Switzerland would have held its own financial appeal.
Boente confirmed the negotiations and Tuesday’s final decision had been carried out with his opposite number Adam Booth, Haye’s manager.
- AP
