DiBella: Haye's Last Bout Hard To Watch, Not in Running For Wilder

By Edward Chaykovsky

Promoter Lou DiBella says former two division world champion David Haye is not currently being considered for a showdown with WBC heavyweight world champion Deontay Wilder (36-0, 35KOs).

Wilder was scheduled to face mandatory challenger Alexander Povetkin on May 21st in Moscow, Russia. The fight was postponed when the World Boxing Council advised both camps that Povetkin tested positive for a banned substance in a pre-fight drugs test.

Wilder is going to return to ring as soon as possible. His team is looking at a date in July and BoxingScene.com reported on Thursday that Chris Arreola is a frontrunner to get the fight.

DiBella admits the pickings are slim for Wilder's next fight, but says no decision has been made as of yet. Based on Haye's recent level of opposition, he is not in the mix.

"I don't see him as a potential opponent in a fight that's being thrown together in this situation," DiBella exclusively told Sky Sports. "I knew he made a comeback but the quality of his recent competition hasn't been very good. I saw his last fight which was difficult to watch. [Haye vs Wilder] isn't the kind of fight that would happen on a very quick turn-around at short-notice."

"It's not a matter of me saying he's not suitable. David is likely, in the next year, to fight for a heavyweight title - I just don't think it's happening in the next eight weeks."

Another fighter being considered as Wilder's return opponent is undefeated Gerald Washington, who cut short a family vacation to begin training - if Wilder's team potentially selects him. DiBella says Washington fits the criteria for Wilder's return fight.

DiBella said: "It's slim pickings, frankly. The heavyweight division is very strong at the top but it can't be one of those fights at the moment, obviously. There's not really much else in the remainder of the division and he's fought a good number of them. We're considering a number of options but it's got to be someone suitable for the US."

"[Washington] is certainly the type of the guy that would be on the list - he's rated, he's an American, he's a big guy with an undefeated record. But there's no decision that's been made, and it's not certain to be Gerald. But I can understand why Gerald has returned from holiday - a shot at the heavyweight title is the pinnacle, it's the mountain top. He's one of the names we're kicking around."