Vitali Klitschko offers to fight David Haye

David Haye finally looks set get his big money title-unification bout with one of the Klitschko brothers, but it is Vitali, not the anticipated Wladimir, who has agreed to a showdown.

Vitali said in an interview with Radio Five Live that he would fight Haye in whichever country would be the most lucrative and would split a likely purse of £50m straight down the middle.

"I'm ready any minute to sign a 50-50 contract," said the WBC Heavyweight Champion.

"We are both world champions, so let's fight. Let's make the fight in the spring time – I'm ready, the question is for David Haye."

If the fight does go ahead then it will bring an end to 18 months of aborted talks and disputes over broadcasting rights and the location.

"I hear about the great venue of Madison Square Garden for this fight," said the Ukrainian. "But I'm ready to fight in Germany, the United States or Great Britain, wherever the most money is on the table."

Money could be the deciding factor for Haye who plans to retire by the end of 2011.

In the past Haye has not been agreeable to the idea of the 50-50 split, instead demanding that he gets all the pay-per-view revenue from the UK - which would make up far more than half of the pot.

But given that the overall size of the pot may now be as much as £50m he could be persuaded to change his mind.

His manager and chief negotiator Adam Booth said: "We will go wherever the best money is."

One thing that could stand in the way of their fight is the World Boxing Council which has already given the go-ahead for Klitschko to fight the winner of Cuban Odlanier Solis and the American Ray Austin who meet in December.

What happens after a spring time fight with Vitali remains to be seen, but it had earlier been suggested that Haye would fight Wladimir in the spring before fighting Vitali later in the year.

It could be that if Haye were to take on and beat Vitali in early 2011, he would meet Wladimir in his final bout before retiring.

Vitali has explained why he wanted to be the first brother to take on Haye.  "After he has fought Wladimir I will not have an opponent any more," he said. "Wladimir will kill him. He knocks everyone out badly. That is why I want to fight David Haye." ·