Yes, Frank Warren, Macc.'s manager has publicly confirmed the bout.
It is not surprising that these two fighters are ranked 1 and 2 by most of the boxing interests as they are both champions and both are tall. Macc. is the WBU and WBO champion and Haye is the WBC champion; Macc. is 6,4" and Haye is 6,3". Based solely on Haye's win over Morameck, a short and old shop-worn fighter many ranking groups have Haye slightly better than Macc. Haye has defended his title once, Macc. has defended 6 times. Their records at a glance would suggest Haye (20-1, 19 KO) is a knockout artist and Macc. (28-1, 21 KO) is a puncher/boxer. Looks can be deceiving as not only has Macc. fought more fights but 4 of those 7 fights that went the distance were 4 rounders and the other 3 were against very competent opponents one in which they both have mutally gone the distance with. Further, Macc. has fought more taller fighters on average than Haye has. 3 of 4 of Haye's last opponents were under 6' tall including Morameck. It is not worth getting excited when a taller man knocks out or out-points a much shorter man. In boxing, when all things are considered equal, the taller man usually wins. It is expected of him. His weapons have longer range. If anything, I would say these two fighters have equal power and COMPARABLE records. I think that is a fair comment.
Macc. has shown to take a round or two to warm up in fights and then he gets his timing and speed as he loosens up. Haye likes to start fast. Macc., trained by Calzaghe's father Enzo, is well conditioned and relaxed. Haye's fast starts suggest, perhaps, that he is less conditioned or making the weigth class drains him of energy. In Haye's bout with Morameck he looked tired in the 7th round even though he won by knockout.
I would give the edge on conditioning to Macc. as he seems stronger as his fights wear on. It has been stated openly that Haye has had conditioning (fitness) problems in the past.
In this compelling fight we have a fighter with better fitness - Macc. - who likes to take his time to warm up against a fighter who feels an urgency early in the fight for perhaps a lack of conditioning -Haye. Haye likes to throw the straight right, his best punch, often and Macc. can be hit by right hands. Macc.'s best punch is his left to the body something which may be frightening for a fighter with poor conditioning.
Macc. is very relaxed in the ring and he is trained to fight loose with skill and tactics and timing. With patience and conditioning to support a timed and tactical fight plan he is an exhasperating and exhausting fighter to try and better. Though he doesn't have the same speed as his stablemate Calzaghe, he does fight like Calzaghe and he does have very good speed. He also has speed later in a fight where it is a tormenting ability when the opponent is tiring and slowing.
Haye, "the hayemaker", has not said anything offensive of antagonistic in the media but his dress and hair and self promotion are suggestive of overt vanity: something society dislikes. And if overt vanity was a positive trait then it would be considered negative in the dictionary! Macc. is a gentleman and conducts himself in that classic way which polite and decent society has always admired and respected.
Politeness and decency are the conduct of man who values them. May the good man win.
