By Phil D. Jay
Bernd Boente has categorically stated that David Haye will never again step into the ring with either of the world champion Klitschko brothers in the wake of what Vitali and Wladimir’s manager calls the ‘financial risk’ of accepting the Briton’s monetary demands.
Haye, 31, retired from boxing in October but has always left the door open for a return to the ring with 35 year-old four-belt champion Wladimir, who out-pointed him in June or a first bout with WBC title holder Vitali, 40.
A deal with Vitali was thought to be close late last year, although he eventually signed on to fight former European title challenger and fellow-Brit Dereck Chisora leaving a future bout with Haye in considerable doubt, which Boente now says won’t happen.
“The difference is all about the numbers,” Boente told The Daily Mail.
“Haye is asking for so much money that it is impossible. He wants an impossible guarantee plus half the British television rights while we do all the work and take on all the costs.
“The financial risk for us of going anywhere near his demands would be far too great. We just don't know what he could bring to the event.
“What we do know for certain is that Sky will not put him on pay-per-view again so there would be limited fees from them for a normal broadcast.
"We moved once but we won't move again. It's ridiculous. If they don't come back with something realistic this fight will never happen and I do not expect them to do so.
“Haye is scared to fight Vitali and is pricing himself out of the market,” he added.
Vitali is now focusing on his February 18th date against Chisora as brother Wladimir concentrates on facing mandatory challenger Jean-Marc Mormeck on March 3rd as Haye seems content with appearances on Primetime British TV shows rather than Primetime PPV.
Phil D. Jay covers boxing for worldboxingnews.net
