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Haye eyes 'Rumble in the Jungle'

WBA heavyweight champion David Haye could be set to fight Vitali Klitschko in a new "Rumble in the Jungle".
WBA heavyweight champion David Haye could be set to fight Vitali Klitschko in a new "Rumble in the Jungle".
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • David Haye has revealed he could be take part in a new 'Rumble in the Jungle' in Africa with a fight against Vitali Klitschko.
  • British fighter Haye secured the WBA title with a points victory over giant Russian Nikolai Valuev in November.
  • Haye is keen to follow in the footsteps of hero Muhammed Ali and fight Klitschko in Africa.
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David Haye has revealed he could be take part in a new "Rumble in the Jungle" in Africa as he seeks to unify the heavyweight division with a fight against Vitali Klitschko.

The 29-year-old British fighter secured the WBA crown with a points victory over giant Russian Nikolai Valuev in November and is set for a mandatory title defense of that title against Puerto Rican John Ruiz early in 2010.

If he overcomes Ruiz, Haye could then face a bout with Ukrainian Klitschko, the WBC world heavyweight champion, later in the year and there is speculation that his camp have already begun talks with the president of Gabon about possibly holding a fight.

Haye is thought to be keen emulate Muhammad Ali's famous fight with George Foreman in Kinshasa, Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo), in 1974, and told the British newspaper The News of the World that a fight on African soil is a possibility.

"Of course I want to defend my title in Britain and also fight in Las Vegas, but as heavyweight champion of the world I also want to fight all over the world," Haye said.

Ali is a massive hero of mine and if I could do something then I'd love it.
--David Haye

"Muhammad Ali is best remembered for his 'Rumble in the Jungle' fight. There was also his 'Thriller in Manila' fight with Joe Frazier.

"I am going to Angola for the African Nations Cup next month and it's something we will continue talking about. Ali is a massive hero of mine and if I could do something like he did then I'd love it.

"Maybe we can stage the new 'Rumble in the Jungle'. I am looking to leave a legacy and to be able to fight in every continent would be tremendous."