Wladimir Klitschko-David Haye title fight cancelled
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Heavyweight challenger David Haye of England has suffered an injury that has forced him to pull out of his scheduled June 20 fight against world champion Wladimir Klitschko, promoters said Wednesday.
The nature of Haye’s injury was not immediately disclosed. Haye (22-1, 21 KOs) was attempting to beat Klitschko after winning the world cruiserweight title in March 2008.
Klitschko (52-3, 46 KOs) issued a statement: ‘I am very disappointed that the fight got cancelled. I’ve been in training camp for weeks. I am in top condition and I was really looking forward to fight night. I don’t want to disappoint the fans in Schalke [Germany] and I am willing to fight a different opponent as well.’
Bernd Bonte, Klitschko’s manager, added, ‘We will work on finding a top opponent.’
Dan Goossen, promoter for unbeaten Riverside fighter Chris Arreola, said, ‘Chris isn’t in the type of shape you need to be for fighting for the heavyweight championship of the world. One thing you don’t do with elite athletes is give them a short window to prepare.’
Goossen, however, did say that veteran heavyweight James Toney ‘is in shape right now’ and has let people close to the Klitschko camp know that he could be ready to fight by June 20.
--Lance Pugmire
