The all-British heavyweight fight, arguably one of the biggest since Lennox Lewis defeated Frank Bruno almost 17 years ago, is being inked in for Manchester?s MEN Arena on Nov 13.
Telegraph Sport understands it is likely to be on pay-per-view on Sky Sports, and could form the precursor to the Manny Pacquiao versus Antonio Margarito light-middleweight title battle which is scheduled for later that night in the United States. That contest ran into rocky waters last night in the US, when the California State Athletic Commission refused to grant Margarito, banned for a year for illegal hand wraps, a new license. That may not be the case in Texas, where the fight is expected to take place.
Talks are ongoing between Haye?s manager Adam Booth and Eddie Hearn, who represents Sydney Olympic gold medallist Harrison.
It is understood that the two parties had looked at staging the contest at the 02 Arena, London, and had even looked at a Friday night contest at one stage.
Promoter Barry Hearn, father of Eddie, said yesterday on Sky Sports: ?We are in talks, I understand the talks are going reasonably well.
In the heavyweight division, there is nothing else out there as far as British fight fans are concerned.?
?The fantastic thing about David Haye is that he?s burst on the scene and done a fantastic job against Nikolai Valuev, boxed the ears off John Ruiz and put him into retirement. He?s hot.?
?People don?t know what to expect from Audley Harrison. He?s been talking a great fight for years, never delivered it. He?s at that last stage saloon – every fight fan in England wants to see this fight.?
?The fight?s going to be amazing. I hope Eddie and Adam Booth get this fight together. Watch this space.?
Elsewhere, Vitali Klitschko, one of Haye?s rivals, has confirmed he will defend the World Boxing Council heavyweight title against Shannon Briggs in Hamburg on Oct 16.
