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Klitschkos are upset with Haye

The Associated Press

Published: August 16, 2009

Updated: 08/16/2009 12:22 am

LOS ANGELES - Vitali Klitschko says David Haye has burned the bridge leading to three of the four major heavyweight belts.

Klitschko and his manager said it's highly unlikely the Klitschko brothers will give another title shot to Haye, the former cruiserweight champ from Britain who they claim backed out of deals to fight both brothers this fall.

Haye instead decided to fight Nikolai Valuev, the 7-foot Russian WBA heavyweight champ, on Nov. 7 in Germany. Wladimir is closing in on a deal to fight Philadelphia's Eddie Chambers in Germany, while Vitali will fight unbeaten Chris Arreola in Los Angeles on Sept. 26.

Haye agreed to fight Wladimir in June before dropping out with a back injury from training. Vitali and Haye then had extensive discussions about a September meeting in Frankfurt, but Klitschko manager Bernd Boente abruptly learned about Haye's deal with Valuev (50-1) through the media.

"You could do a James Bond and never say never," Boente said. "But I don't think it's ever going to happen."

At Staples Center to promote next month's fight with Arreola, Vitali and Boente left no doubt about the brothers' distaste for the ebullient English fighter.

"I don't believe he had an injury," Vitali said. "It was excuses. He didn't understand the contract we signed with him. My personal opinion, his manager talked to Valuev, and he sees his chance to be world champion much more against Valuev. He is afraid. My personal opinion, he is not serious. It's not good for boxing."

Boente felt betrayed by Haye's move to fight Valuev, who isn't thought to be on the same skill level as WBC champ Vitali or his dominant younger brother, who holds the IBF and WBO belts.

Haye also angered the civilized Klitschko brothers with his rowdy antics during the truncated media tour for his scheduled fight with Wladimir, notably wearing a graphic T-shirt featuring Haye holding the brothers' severed heads in the center of a ring.

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