By James Slater – We all know it looks more and more unlikely that David Haye and either Klitschko brother will ever fight (and you have already formed your own opinion as to why not), but the current WBA heavyweight champion has to fight somebody or else retire right now. And, with both “Doctors” busy right now, Haye seems to have found an acceptable challenger for his planned May 21st date in London.
Not, as expected, Ruslan Chagaev; Haye’s WBA mandatory – it now looks more and more likely that unbeaten Russian star Alexander Povetkin will meet “The Hayemaker” in his next fight. This is according to Boxrec.com, who can “reveal that very positive negotiations are taking place” with regards to Haye defending against Povetkin next..
Apparently, former WBA champ Chagaev will have next to no chance of being licensed to fight anyone – be it Haye or any other heavyweight – in England due to his Hepatitis diagnosis. So, looking down the WBA ratings, Team-Haye has found a replacement. And Haye will be going in with a “live” replacement, make no mistake about it.
For a while now, fans have asked, ‘If Haye cannot fight a Klitschklo, why can’t he fight a Povetkin, or a Chambers or an Arreola?’
Good question, and now; while Haye won’t be rumbling with an American contender in his next fight, it seems he could be facing an unbeaten Russian who also happens to be a former Olympic gold medallist. No doubt, if Haye-Povetkin does happen in May, the fight will be a sell-out at the box office.
Perhaps even a more intriguing fight to the paying fans than Wlad Klitschko-Derek Chisora or Vitali Klitschko-Odlanier Solis, Haye-Povetkin is a fight that could conceivably go either way. Sure, 31-year-old Povetkin has failed to look great recently, but the Teddy Atlas-trained contender may have been biding his time all along; ready to unleash his best stuff when the big opportunity he felt he was ready for presented itself.
For so long now, Povetkin himself and Atlas have claimed Alexander is not ready for a fight with Klitschko. Could it be that Povetkin is more than ready for a shot at Haye?
As quoted by Boxrec, Kalle Sauerland said: “Haye Vs. Chagaev would be a massive fight. But it is not up to us. It’s a matter of the BBC of C and the WBA to see whether Chageav will be able to fight Haye. If not, Povetkin is ready to step in. He is fit, willing and able and more than qualified.”
That he is. Could it be that U.K heavyweight fans get to see a potentially 50-50 WBA title battle this summer? Who wouldn’t want to see this one?