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 Former world cruiserweight champion David 'The Hayemaker' Haye will meet current world heavyweight champion Vitali 'Dr. Iron Fist' Klitschko in June 2009 at a London-based football stadium. The deal bringing Haye and Klitschko together was thrashed out over the weekend, merely hours after Vitali's younger brother, Wladimir, hammered out a stoppage win over ex-champ Hasim Rahman. Though the supposedly more vulnerable Wladimir was the original target of Haye, the London power-puncher decided to to switch his attentions to Vitali upon realising the older brother was the keener of the two to get the fight into motion. The 37-year-old Klitschko holds a record of 36-2 (35 KO) and has won both the WBC and WBO versions of the world heavyweight crown as well as a European title. As an amateur, Klitschko won a silver medal at the 1995 World Amateur Championships and won 195 of 210 bouts. He turned pro in November 1996 and streaked to 27-0 - all wins via knockout - before losing his unbeaten record against Chris Byrd. Despite controlling the fight, Vitali pulled out on his stool due to a shoulder injury. Undetered, Klitschko went on to define his dangerous reputation in a topsy-turvy slugfest with former undisputed world heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis in June 2003. Klitschko fought tooth and nail with the legendary Lewis for six rounds before being stopped on a cut heading into the seventh round. Klitschko was again winning the fight at the time of the unfortunate stoppage. Since that famous night with Lewis in 2003, Klitschko has demolished Corrie Sanders, Kirk Johnson, Danny Williams and, most recently, Samuel Peter. He's also twice snared the WBC world heavyweight title and come back from a four-year hiatus to destroy former champ Peter. Long-term injuries seemingly cleared up, Klitschko defends his title for the first time in June against against the brash and explosive Haye. "The fight is on and I can't wait to get in there and win Klitschko's world heavyweight title," said Haye, 22-1 (21 KO) and fresh off a five-round annhilation of New York contender Monte Barrett. "This is the fight I've wanted since I first put on a pair of gloves as a 10-year-old boy. I've always told everyone I'd be world heavyweight champion and next summer is my chance to realise that dream. "Vitali is considered by most people as the best heavyweight in the world. I'm constantly told he's the tougher, sturdier, stronger and more awkward of the Klitschko brothers and that is exactly why I've decided to go after him. What's the point in cherry-picking the weaker of the two Klitschkos (Wladimir)? I'm cutting out the middle man and going straight for the best guy."
9:05 AM
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