David Haye believes he is ready to challenge world heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko as his dream fight edges closer towards reality.
The 27-year-old Londoner, who ended his reign as undisputed world cruiserweight champion to move up to heavyweight, has learned that Klitschko may be prepared to fight him following his next defence.
The giant Ukrainian, who retained his WBO and IBF belts by stopping American Tony Thompson in the 11th round in Hamburg in July, faces a mandatory challenge from unbeaten Russian Alexander Povetkin later this year.
But Klitschko's American manager Shelly Finkel has hinted strongly that Haye could be next in line after that.
Richard Schaefer, chief executive of Oscar De La Hoya's Golden Boy company who are closely allied to Haye's new Hayemaker Promotions, revealed: ‘I had a conversation with Shelly Finkel and he told me that they will accept the fight with David Haye.’
Haye had originally planned two fights at heavyweight before hopefully tackling Klitschko next year but will grab the chance if it arises.
‘I'd do it whenever,’ he said. ‘I'm not too fussed about when that fight is.
‘In an ideal world it looks great to have a couple of warm-up fights and then get the big one.
‘It helps generate the hype surrounding the fight and the longer it takes to happen, the bigger the fight will be.
‘It also gives the American public chance to see me in action first but if the fight can only happen in the early part of next year then so be it. I'll be ready for it.’
Haye, who dipped his toe in the heavyweight pond last year by blowing away usually durable Pole Tomasz Bonin inside a round at Wembley, is struggling to find an opponent for his first outing since winning - and relinquishing - the WBC, WBA and WBO cruiserweight belts.
American JD Chapman - unbeaten in 29 fights with 26 quick victories - agreed terms but failed to board the flight to London to announce Haye's next fight at the capital's 02 Arena on Saturday, 15 November.
‘It seems like all these top-rank heavyweights really are avoiding David,’ said Schaefer after arriving from the States.
Manager-trainer Adam Booth, who hopes big-punching 25-year-old Chapman will change his mind, claims to have another two top-ten contenders in the frame after three others rejected the fight in the space of four days.
Whoever Haye meets, he is promising to be far stronger now he does not have to make the 14st 4lbs cruiserweight limit.
‘I'm two stone heavier now than the night I fought Enzo Maccarinelli - two stone of good, solid, lean muscle. It's the stuff that I had to take off,’ he claimed.
‘What I am now is my natural weight. I'm not doing any crazy starvation any more. I'm eating great - five or six meals a day, healthy food, clean meals.
‘My weight is what it is. I very rarely get on the scales to be honest. As long as I'm fast, sharp and my stamina's there, as long as I'm hitting all my targets in the gym, what I weigh is academic.
‘The power's always going to be there and on fight night I'll probably be around 16st, maybe four or five pounds either way, but I'm not too fussed.’
