After nearly three years of speculation and failed negotiations, Wladimir Klitschko and David Haye announced that contracts have been signed for a heavyweight unification bout, which may occur on either June 25 or July 2.

Haye, the WBA titlist, released the news on his official website, www.hayemaker.com, expressing long-awaited enthusiasm.

“This is the fight I have been chasing for nearly three years now, and it’s a huge relief to know it has come off and will soon become a reality,” Haye said. “It was looking a little scary at one stage, as both Klitschkos seemed intent on avoiding me, but now the stars have aligned and they’ve both seen the light.”

RING, WBO and IBF heavyweight champion, Klitschko, confirmed Haye’s release through the Team Klitschko page on Facebook.

Although Klitscko is recovering from an injured abdominal muscle, the Ukranian heavyweight is expected to be fully recovered by the time training camp opens. However, if he is unable to fight, his brother, Vitali, is reportedly willing to take his place.

Either way, Haye is confident this fight will be the one of the biggest boxing fights to occur in the past decade.

“This fight needs to happen for the good of boxing, and I’m just delighted we’ve both been able to put our differences aside, forget all the nonsense and put on the kind of fight that the fans deserve,” Haye said. “I have no doubt this will soon snowball into one of the biggest fights the sport has seen in the modern era – especially in this country.”

The bout, which will probably take place in Germany, is also being considered for several other sites in Europe. However, it has been confirmed that the fight will not occur in the United Kingdom or United States.

—Alex Neely

» The highly anticipated bout between David Haye and either Vitali or Wladimir Klitschko appears it may occur on July 2, according to Klitschko’s manager Bernd Boente…

The highly anticipated bout between David Haye and either Vitali or Wladimir Klitschko appears it may occur on July 2, according to Klitschko’s manager Bernd Boente.

“I’m very positive. I’m very, very positive that the fight of Vitali or Wladimir against David Haye, will happen,” Boente said. “I’m also very positive the fight between David Haye and Wladimir or Vitali will happen in Europe.”

Boente believes the heavyweight bout, which has garnered nearly a year of speculation and trash talk, has reached a fervent magnitude that supersedes most boxing fights.

“I think it should happen in a stadium,” Boente said. “This is one of the two top fights that can be done in boxing, and the other fight between [Floyd] Mayweather and [Manny] Pacquaio can’t be done right now.”

Although Haye (25-1, 23 KOs) is scheduled to defend his WBA world heavyweight title on May 21, the bout would either be rescheduled or cancelled if the Klitschko negotiations move forward.

Both of the Klitschko brothers have upcoming title defenses of their own, with Wladimir (55-3, 49 KOs) defending the WBO/IBO/IBF titles against Dereck Chisora on April 30, and Vitali (41-2, 38 KOs) meeting WBC mandatory challenger Odlanier Solis on March 19.

—Alex Neely

It’s All Up To The Hayemaker Now » WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO insists he is ready and willing to fight David Haye on July 2. • Fight fans are desperate to see WBA champion Haye step in the ring with Klitschko, who holds the IBF and WBO heavyweight titles… GAVIN GLICKSMAN, www.thesun.co.uk

An Opportunity For Boxing Amid NFL And NBA Labor Woes » On Sunday I sat through what was about as enjoyable a Super Bowl as I could hope for, so I didn’t have my usual complaints about the average NFL game containing a mere 11 minutes of action. Most of the rest of America certainly feels stronger about the sport than I do, though. As a result, I honestly wonder what would happen to the American sports fan if the next NFL season was abbreviated or outright canceled because owners and players couldn’t arrive at a new deal out of their labor negotiations, as many fear is possible… Tim Starks, queensberry-rules.com

Tim Bradley: Devon Alexander Fight ‘Was A Little Bit Personal’ » WBO and WBC junior welterweight (140 pounds) champion, Tim Bradley, shared his thoughts in this Q&A with FanHouse concerning his HBO televised, Jan. 29, unanimous, technical decision victory that dethroned southpaw WBC titlist Devon Alexander and may have set him up with bigger and better opportunities… Lem Satterfield, boxing.fanhouse.com

Young brothers, Vitali (left) and Wladimir Klitschko.

Wladimir Klitschko: David Haye A ‘Liar’ » Heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko blames David Haye for their title unification fight being scrapped, scoffed at the notion that he would follow through with plans to retire by the end of the year and is on the verge of finalizing a deal to face top contender Tomasz Adamek in the fall instead of revisiting a deal with Haye… Dan Rafael, ESPN.com

Vitali Klitschko To Fight Odlanier Solis In March » Vitali Klitschko will defend his WBC heavyweight title against undefeated Cuban fighter Odlanier Solis on March 19 in Cologne… Source: The Associated Press

Bradley Eyeing Big Paydays • Unification The First Step To Greatness For Light-Welterweight » Timothy Bradley’s dream is to fight the best in the world, but he insists he must earn the right to do so. The 23-year-old WBO light-welterweight champion is aiming at potential showdowns with the likes of Amir Khan, Floyd Mayweather Jr and Manny Pacquiao in the future… Source: www.skysports.com

Mike Jones Ready To Take Next Step On Road To Title » He’s the “MJ” you don’t know. But you will soon enough, if Mike Jones’ career plan works out… Bob Velin, www.usatoday.com

Haye All Bark, No Bite » Ducker David Haye is a joke at this point. I mean, how can you possibly take him seriously? He vigorously called out Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko for about the past two years with some of the most childish antics I’ve ever seen… Dan Rafael, espn.go.com

Boxing’s Next Battle: Blood Testing Vs. Urine Testing » United States Anti-Doping Agency CEO Travis Tygart calls American sports “war” — a landscape full of desperate athletes who will do anything to win. • The Nevada boxing scene is no exception, Tygart said, and with a possible “Fight of the Century” looming between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas, Tygart believes his own battle to convince the Nevada Athletic Commission to adopt blood testing into its drug-screening policy has never been more relevant… Roman Stubbs, www.rgj.com

Mike Jones photo by Chris Sembrot; Haye photo by MEN’S HEALTH

Haye Promises Historic Knockout » David Haye has vowed to produce “one of the most jaw-dropping knockouts of all-time” when he attempts to win Nikolai Valuev’s WBA heavyweight title on Saturday. • Londoner Haye is aiming to secure a portion of the so-called “richest prize in sport”, but to do that he must beat a man who stands nearly a foot taller than him at 7ft 2ins and who has never been down on the canvas in his 16-year professional career… Source: The Press Association, www.google.com

Don King And Mike Tyson Make Nice At Las Vegas Boxing Event: Boxing Insider » No one promotes a fight like Don King. • His Hairness returned to Las Vegas on Saturday — Halloween — for the first time in four years to put on the inaugural boxing card at Treasure Island. While the nationally televised show had its share of action in the ring, the real news was King making nice with Mike Tyson, a surprise commentator for the Showtime telecast… Source: www.cleveland.com

Manny Pacquiao Vs. Miguel Cotto: The Next Super-Fight » On Nov. 14th, two of the biggest stars in boxing will face-off for a PPV super-fight.  Super-fights are something special in boxing; they are the types of fights that get the general public to pay attention to the sport of boxing. • I go through a few different phases for super-fights: • PHASE 1: Going into a big fight like this I always envision an epic battle between two gladiators, blood and guts warriors, grit, sweat, anger, and any other adjectives that sound tough and manly! I blog about what an amazing ballsy, kick-butt fight it will be. I talk to whoever will listen about my expectations, scientific analysis, and true gut feelings.  This is a great phase to be in… Bryan Brennan, www.nesn.com

Tyson photo by Time/Life ©

Cotto Ready For Long Grind » MANILA, Philippines – Fitness expert Phil Landman, tasked to make sure that Miguel Cotto will be in the best shape possible for his Nov. 14 clash with Manny Pacquiao, is now with the WBO welterweight champion in his training quarters in Puerto Rico… Abac Cordero, www.philstar.com

Haye Gets Valuev Green Light » David Haye’s WBA heavyweight title challenge against Nikolay Valuev will go ahead on November 7 after former champion John Ruiz agreed to end his campaign to scupper the fight… Source: The Press Association.

Top Amateur Boxer Geffrard Has Sights On 2012 Olympics » Five years ago, a friend took Steve Geffrard to the Boca Raton PAL gym to lift weights for football. • His Haitian grandmother had signed him up for the Boca Jets youth program thinking he may have a future in football and chance at a college scholarship. • “I think she wanted to keep me off the streets and out of trouble,” Geffrard said. “I was just about to start playing football when I saw the boxing ring and everyone working out. • “I picked up a jump rope and that was it…” Sharon Robb, www.sun-sentinel.com

Poster by Brian Brobbey-Griffiths; David Haye photo by Dan Wilton.

Klitschko Brothers Don’t See Future With Cruiserweight Champ David Haye » LOS ANGELES — Vitali Klitschko says David Haye might have burned the bridge leading to three of the four major heavyweight title belts… Greg Beacham, The Canadian Press

New Chapter » Next to Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao, the Pinoy boxer of global interest is no doubt Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire… Source: www.bworldonline.com

Roy Jones Jr. Goes All Out To Promote His Shows » BILOXI, Miss. – A decade ago it was hard to get Roy Jones Jr. to even show up on time for a press conference, let alone get him excited about hyping a fight… Tim Smith, www.nydailynews.com

‘Thrilla In Manila’ A Can’t-Miss For Boxing Fans » I had a chance over the weekend to watch an advance copy of HBO’s documentary “Thrilla in Manila,” which will debut on the pay network at 5 p.m. Saturday before the Winky Wright-Paul Williams fight at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. • The story of the classic third and final fight between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier in 1975 is told from Frazier’s perspective, and the insight is fascinating… Lance Pugmire, latimes.com

Boxing Helps Teenager Put Life On The Streets Behind Her » Jeannine Vides sat in a folding chair, her elbows resting on her thighs. • She bobbed her head to music as her legs rocked. She was fidgety and nervous. Her eyes were fixed on an empty boxing ring at a Council Bluffs convention center. • She took a few deep breaths. • Despite her nerves, she knew she’d be all right. She could handle anything. She was a fighter… LEIA BAEZ, www.omaha.com

Brief-Boxing-Klitschko To Fight Briton Haye In Schalke Stadium » BERLIN, April 7 (Reuters) – Heavyweight champion Vladimir Klitschko will fight British contender David Haye in Bundesliga club Schalke’s soccer stadium on June 20, the Ukrainian’s manager said on Tuesday… Karolos Grohmann; Editing by Martin Petty, uk.reuters.com

(Photos: Vides by ALYSSA SCHUKAR/THE WORLD-HERALD; Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier by Associated Press)