BERLIN // Vitali Klitschko, the world heavyweight champion, said he wants to grant Dereck Chisora a rematch to "punish" the British fighter for his brawl in Munich with David Haye, but his manager has blocked the idea.
Klitschko defended his WBC heavyweight title on Saturday night with a unanimous win over Chisora. In the post-fight press conference, the loser traded blows and insults with the former champion Haye.
Both Chisora, 28, and Haye, 31, are under investigation by German police, who have said they could both face prison sentences or fines.
Having seen Chisora leave the press conference stage to confront Haye, who was working at the fight as a television commentator, Klitschko was shocked to hear the pair trade insults and blows with Chisora shouting that he wanted to “shoot” Haye.
Chisora also slapped Klitschko in the face at the pre-fight weigh-in, then spat water in the face of his brother Wladimir just before the title bout.
Chisora has had part of his fight purse withheld after the slap incident.
“In spirit, I have no need for revenge, but my ego tells me that this man deserves real punishment. I want to knock him out in the ring,” the Ukrainian champion told the German newspaper Die Welt.
Klitschko, 40, damaged his left shoulder in the fight and will take up to eight weeks off, but his management moved quickly yesterday to discourage any rematch plans.
“A rematch is inconceivable and won’t happen,” Klitschko’s manager Bernd Boente said. “Of course, Vitali has been affected emotionally, but a fight is not up for discussion and we will not offer Chisora a further platform.”
Boente pointed to Chisora’s hearing before the British Boxing Board of Control in London on March 14 – when he could face a life ban – as well as Klitschko’s shoulder injury.
Both Chisora and Haye issued apologies for the fracas, but the fallout is likely to last some time.
Chisora was detained and questioned by Munich police on Sunday before being released while Haye flew back to Britain before police could speak to him.
Klitschko said Chisora has tarnished boxing. "I saw it all from the stage, I thought I was in some kind of film," he said.
"Sooner or later in life a man gets his just punishment. You can't behave like that as an athlete or as a normal person."
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
