Wladimir Klitschko calls out David Haye for heavyweight unification

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World heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko has taken to calling out England’s David Haye for a title unification bout.

In a video posted on his Klitschko.com page and YouTube, Klitschko (54-3, 48 KOs) stares closely into a camera lens and says, ‘Now’s the time to make it happen. ... I’m ready. What’re you waiting for?’

Klitschko last month knocked out Eddie Chambers in the 12th round, defending his IBF and WBO belts before a large crowd in Germany. But the waning U.S. interest in he and fellow heavyweight champ brother Vitali was illustrated by the fact that it was broadcast only by Klitschko.com.

Now, the charismatic Haye (24-1, 22 KOs) holds the WBA belt, and he looked good in dismantling former champ John Ruiz on April 3.

‘I saw that [video],’ said Richard Schaefer, Haye’s promoter of Golden Boy Promotions in Los Angeles. ‘David isn’t running from anyone. The deal structure has to be right. If the feelings [from the Klitschko camp] are arrogance, there won’t be a fight. If it’s fair, then the fight will happen. This is the fight the fans are waiting for.’

Schaefer said a Klitschko-Haye bout would be fought in Europe, likely ‘in a venue that can accommodate 50,000 to 80,000 people.’

-- Lance Pugmire