Haye on collision course with Valuev

David Haye's WBA heavyweight title challenge against Nikolay Valuev will go ahead on 7 November after former champion John Ruiz agreed to end his campaign to scupper the fight.

The contest was agreed earlier this summer but some doubt surrounded it after mandatory challenger Ruiz threatened to force Valuev to fulfil his obligations and fight him, rather than the Englishman.

However in a statement, Chris Meyer, general manager of Valuev's promoter Sauerland Events, said: 'There is absolutely no problem with the Valuev-Haye bout. Everything has been sorted out.

'We have struck a deal with Team Ruiz for him to step aside. Our attorneys are just putting it in writing.

'Once this contract has been signed, we will submit the necessary papers to the WBA by the end of this week.

'German TV ARD and UK's Sky Box Office have booked the November 7 date in their schedules. We are just discussing the dates for the press conference.

'Valuev is scheduled to start his final preparations at the beginning of September.'

Meyer's assurances will be welcome relief for Haye, who pulled out of an IBF/WBO title challenge against Wladimir Klitschko in June citing a back injury.

The former undisputed cruiserweight champion then looked set to fight Klitschko's brother Vitali, the WBC champion, only to walk away from negotiations at the 11th hour to fight 7ft 2in Valuev instead.

Doubts emerged after Valuev's manager Boris Dimitrov was reported by media in eastern Europe as saying: 'It could be off because of Ruiz, who is writing complaints to the WBA.

'He has got good lawyers and is the official WBA challenger. We had planned to fight him but as Nikolay had already fought him and won twice, his promoters looked for another opponent.

'Now they must ask Ruiz to wait for his title challenge but if he doesn't, the Haye bout could be cancelled.'

The WBA were expected to rule on the matter in the coming days - most likely in Ruiz's favour - but Meyer's agreement with the American means Haye's dream of winning a world heavyweight title in 2009 is still alive.

The showdown is expected to take place in Germany although no venue has been announced yet.