By Phil Barnett
David Haye's manager has warned there is a long way to go before a fight with one of the Klitschko brothers is signed and sealed, admitting they are "still swimming through the quagmire of boxing negotiations".
It emerged at the weekend that the parties had returned to the negotiating table after talks broke down yet again earlier this year.
Press Association Sport understands discussions are in their infancy at the moment with WBC champion Vitali and IBO/IBF/WBO holder Wladimir - who WBA champion Haye would prefer to face - both possible opponents in the summer.
Haye's trainer and manager Adam Booth said: "It's still a bit premature at the moment, we're still swimming through the quagmire of boxing negotiations."
On Saturday, Booth revealed "by the middle of next week things could have changed quite dramatically" but after repeated failures to nail down a unification fight, it seems Haye's camp are treading cautiously.
It is understood both Ukrainian brothers are possibilities for Haye on July 2 and while Vitali would make more logistical sense, Haye wants Wladimir. Vitali fights Odlanier Solis on March 19 while younger brother Wladimir makes a voluntary defence against Londoner Dereck Chisora on April 30, which leaves him barely two months to recuperate and prepare for that July date.
The Klitschkos' manager Bernd Boente has spoken positively about the situation in recent days but Haye's camp have been more coy, aside from hints dropped on Twitter by the fighter himself.
Boxing politics and one-upmanship at the negotiating table have so far scuppered prospects of the fights being made before Haye's self-imposed retirement in October this year.
However, the Londoner spoke at the weekend of something "potentially being on the horizon" before a more cautious Booth essentially confirmed talks were back on.
Should the fight happen, it looks most likely to be on July 2, with Germany looking favourite to host it and Britain and Las Vegas also possibilities.
Haye is due to defend against mandatory challenger Ruslan Chagaev, who has problems getting licensed due to suffering from Hepatitis B, with unbeaten Russian Alexander Povetkin the next highest-ranked opponent.
Haye has also previously questioned Wladimir's suggestion that he could meet Chisora in April and fight again two months later.
But should it pan out that way, it would enable the Englishman to possibly face one brother in the summer and the other in September or October before retiring ahead of his 31st birthday.
Phil Barnett covers the boxing beat for Press Association
