Klitschko opts for Gomez over Hyde

VITALI KLITSCHKO has signed a contract to defend his WBC heavyweight title against mandatory challenger Juan Carlos Gomez instead of Londoner David Haye.

Haye recently agreed terms to fight Klitschko in London this summer having previously expected to take on his younger brother, IBF and WBO champion Wladimir.

But it emerged earlier this week Vitali, 37, had decided to fulfil a mandatory defence against Cuban Gomez with Haye therefore likelier to face Wladimir after all.