(Editor’s Note: Naturally, this being boxing, the David Haye camp is crying foul. It’s unclear to me whether they object to the July 2 TV date to challenge the 55-3, 49 KOs Wladimir Klitschko or to his fulfilling his prior contact to defend his crowns against Dereck Chisora, a Frank Warren promoted boxer, on April 30 or to both. This spicy stew will stay on the hot stove for a while, it seems.–MM)
In this hectic world of social networking and other instant communication, it is rare that a reporter can get the last word directly from a powerful source.
Those sources are usually getting blocking that the Patriots could respect from their PR types, lawyers and other careful handlers.
So I was excited and delighted to be on the spot at Grand Central Station Wednesday morning, where the FX network was touting its new boxing themed program “Lights Out” and had assembled an all-star ring cast of Joe Frazier, Gerry Cooney, Micky Ward, Lennox Lewis and one still active fighter, the affable and engaging heavyweight champ Wladimir Klitschko.
Seconds before WKlit showed up, I heard a news flash, said to emanate from the always busy keyboard of ESPN’s Dan Rafael, that the seemingly close to fruition fight between Bad Wlad and English loudmouth David “Hayemaker” Haye had gone wrong and was a non-starter for the foresseable future.
Klitschko, whose brother Vitali also owns a heavyweight title belt, was quick to clear the air as he spoke to myself and fight scribe Sean Sullivan.
“The fight with Haye is not off, the fight is on,” Klitschko said, smiling brightly.
“We had to get clearance on a date with Sky TV for pay per view in the UK and they we were concerned about conflicting with the upcoming Royal Wedding. So the wedding is set for the end of April and we got clearance on a fight date of July 2, for sure.”
Wladimir, who turns age 35 on March 25, said he intends to fight another British challenger, lightly-regarded Dereck Chisora, before the tangles with hard-hitting but lantern-jawed Haye. (haye’s pro mark is 25-1 with 23 KOs to his credit.)
“I will fight Chisora on an April date, in Germany,” Klitschko said. “Then we will move foreward with Haye.”
The Chisora-WKlit title bout, with Wlad’s IBF and WBO belts on the line, will still go on in Mannheim, where it had been originally slated for Dec. 11 but Klitschko pulled out, citing an abdominal injury, a few days prior. (Chisora owns a 14-0, nine knockouts record).
I aksed Klitschko if his relationship with actress Hayden Panatierre and/or his involvement in hyping the debut of “Lights Out,” had him thinking of a post-boxing career under the kleig lights.
“No,” Klitschko said, “we have one politician in the family and that’s my brother (who ran unsuccessfuly for mayor of Kiev) although I think politics are important to follow, to know about.
“As far as my becoming an actor, I already have a role. My role is as world heavyweight champion.”
You might call that role a family business.
When his defense against Chisora was announced in late October, Wladimir said:
?I know that Dereck Chisora is a very dangerous opponent. He?s young, he?s fast and he?s a very hard puncher. My coach, Emanuel Steward, has warned me about Chisora and reminded me about the great Muhammad Ali, who lost his championship in 1978 to Leon Spinks in his eighth professional fight. I definitely will not underestimate Chisora and will prepare myself as intensely as I always do and try to give Chisora no chance. The atmosphere for all of my fights in Mannheim has been great and I will always remember the SAP Arena where I won my second world championship against Chris Byrd. That is one of the highlights of my career.?
