Haye announces Charr fight
David Haye's second pursuit of the Klitschko brothers will start against Manuel Charr on June 29, while the British heavyweight has also confirmed a "long-term relationship" between his camp and promoter Eddie Hearn.
Hayemaker Boxing released a statement on Sunday night saying 28-year-old Lebanon-born Charr would be Haye's opponent for his comeback fight in Manchester. Haye is making a full-time return to the ring after retiring in October 2011 - his only bout since then was a domestic win over rival Dereck Chisora at Upton Park last July.
He confirmed he was returning to boxing last month and his opponent has now been installed, while Haye has signed up to have his fights screened on Sky Sports after his manager and trainer, Adam Booth, linked up with Matchroom Sport boss Hearn.
The statement said: "Former WBA world heavyweight champion David Haye will go head to head with next opponent Manuel Charr at a press conference this Wednesday, after agreeing a deal to fight the top 10-ranked contender on June 29 in Manchester.
"The much talked about heavyweight showdown will be televised live on Sky Sports and promoted as part of a new long-term relationship between Adam Booth of Hayemaker and Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Sport. It will mark Haye's first appearance in the ring since knocking out domestic rival Dereck Chisora in July 2012."
Charr, known as 'Diamond Boy', boasts a 23-1 record, with his only defeat coming when he was stopped by Vitali Klitschko in September last year.
A fight with either Klitschko brother, be it Vitali or Wladimir - who beat him on points in July 2011 - is Haye's long-term goal, and a face-off with Charr will get him on the road to becoming a mandatory challenger for the belts the Ukrainians hold.
Haye is ranked at number six in the World Boxing Council's ratings, despite his long exile, with Charr two places below him.
Hearn, the head of Matchroom Sport, has grown his stable dramatically over recent months, adding the likes of George Groves, Ricky Burns and Luke Campbell to a group that already consisted of Kell Brook, Carl Froch and Tony Bellew.
Groves - also trained by Booth - and Haye make up Hayemaker Boxing and Hearn, who has exclusivity with Sky Sports, tweeted: "It gives me unbelievable pleasure to announce we have agreed a long term promotional deal with @mrdavidhaye @boxingbooth and Hayemaker."
