By Mark Vester
IBF/WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko says that former cruiserweight champion David Haye is one of the leading candidates to fight him in the fall. Klitschko is scheduled to defend against IBF mandatory Alexander Povetkin in the fall, but according to the champion - things could change.
Povetkin is fighting against heavyweight veteran Taurus Sykes on July 19 at the Olimpyskiy Sports Palace in Chekhov, Russia. If Povetkin is upset, or receives an injury during the bout and can't commit to a fall fight, Haye would be one of the leading men to step in.
Haye has been chasing Klitschko since he announced his move to the heavyweight division. He says Klitschko is ducking him, but the champions says the big talk by Haye will have to be backed up in a heavyweight ring.
"David Haye is one of them. He was here in Hamburg and he wants to fight me. He is one of the candidates," Klitschko said. "[But Povetkin] is the IBF number one and he is waiting. He fights next Saturday and we will see in the next weeks who will be my opponent."
Klitschko's manager Bernd Bonte is fully geared to his fighter facing Povetkin next.
"Next up is the mandatory defense against Povetkin," Bonte stated. "That is the fight that will come next."
Whether it's Povetkin or Haye, Klitschko is expecting a fight. He says that when several titles are at stake, three belts if you count the IBO, fighters will bring their best. He says Tony Thompson, who Klitschko stopped in eleven-rounds on Saturday night in Germany, brought his best.
"Every opponent will give all he has because there are three belts at stake," Klitschko said. "It is not an easy task to defend the titles - you can see that. It has been a while since I last had a black eye. It was a great fight and I am pleased I won that clearly. Thompson did very well defensively."
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