(BBC) Audley Harrison has demanded that World Boxing Association (WBA) heavyweight champion David Haye signs to fight him in November.
Harrison’s representatives claim terms have been agreed with fellow Briton Haye’s promoters, but that the Londoner has not signed.
“Man up and get this fight signed,” said Harrison, 38, citing 13 November in Manchester as the date and location.
Haye said on Friday that his promotion team was working hard to get a “quality opponent” for October or November.
Haye, who made a successful first defence against John Ruiz in April, spoke in a video released on his Twitter feed from a gym in northern Cyprus, and promised his fans that his next move would be clearer within the coming week.
In June, Haye’s manager Adam Booth confirmed he had spoken to Harrison’s camp about an all-British showdown, but insisted Harrison was one of six possible opponents – and that no contract discussions had taken place.
Promoters for Haye, 29, had also been in talks with the Klitschko brothers, Vitali and Wladimir, regarding a possible unification fight later this year, but those negotiations appeared to reach a stalemate.
Wladimir Klitschko recently accused Haye of being “afraid” of them, with the British heavyweight currently holding the one major belt the Ukrainian brothers do not have in their possession.
“Everyone wants some kind of update but unfortunately there is no real update at the moment – other than my team are working hard trying to get me a quality opponent,” said Haye in his latest comments.
“I’ve been busy. I made sure I was in shape so that if one of the Klitschkos popped up I’d have been in shape; but unfortunately that hasn’t happened.
“Believe me or not, it isn’t any fault of mine, and I’ll explain that to you.
“Be patient, when it comes time to tell the truth – which is going to happen in a few days – you’ll understand and realise.”
Harrison’s promoters, Matchroom Sport, claim that after being “locked in talks” with Adam Booth both parties have “now agreed terms”, but Booth was unavailable for comment when contacted by BBC Sport on Monday.
The last high-profile all-British world heavyweight match-up came in 1993 when Lennox Lewis beat Frank Bruno for the WBC title, although Henry Akinwande did face Scott Welsh for the lightly-regarded WBO belt four years later.
“I’m about as bored as every other fight fan about hearing why you [Haye] won’t accept fights,” added Harrison. “What are we in this game for?
“I say to try to win titles and create a legacy but if its money you want then outside of the Klitschko fight I’m the only guy that makes you money. I am accepting the terms you have offered me and now we will see what you are made of.
“Bring on the Battle of Britain and I will be the Hayebreaker come 13 November.”
Harrison, the 2000 Olympic Games superheavyweight gold medallist, is ranked 13th in the WBA list.
But a contest between two fighters, who were once close friends before a public war of words last year, could have box-office appeal in Britain.
Harrison paved the way for a clash with Haye by vacating the European crown he won with a last-gasp knockout of Michael Sprott in April.
“The hard work is done and now it’s up to Haye and Booth,” said Matchroom Sport managing director Eddie Hearn.
“We are at the end of the line now, everything is in place and now it’s up to them. This is a £10m fight and the biggest the country has ever seen, but more than that it’s personal between them – there will be no love lost in the ring if we get this signed.”
