• Heavyweight

Haye given three weeks to decide on Vitali fight

David Haye was beaten comfortably by Wladimir Klitschko in July © PA Photos

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David Haye has been given just three weeks to decide whether he will come out of retirement to fight WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko next year.

Haye only retired from boxing six weeks ago, although he did admit at the time he would be prepared to come back to fight the older Klitschko brother - after losing to Wladimir on his last outing in Hamburg in July.

The Klitschkos' manager, Bernd Boente, hopes to announce Vitali's next opponent shortly after Wladimir's fight with Jean-Marc Mormeck on December 10, however, so Haye does not have long to decide whether he is ready and willing to face the other Ukrainian.

"We have other opponents but David would still bring most to the table and the fight with Vitali is the biggest one out there," Boente confirmed.

Haye also needs to decide quickly so arrangements can be made with television companies over the broadcasting of the fight. However, the fact Haye will not receive anywhere near the £8m he picked up for his previous Klitschko encounter seems to be a complication for the British fighter.

"Although David would get more than any other opponent for Vitali next February or March, it wouldn't be anything like last time," Boente added. "And unless British television - Sky, Frank Warren's BoxNation or Primetime with Channel 5 - join in a sensible business plan, we can't make the Haye fight.

'We are in ongoing talks but we haven't got to any contract details."

Haye was comprehensively beaten by Wladimir in the summer, subsequently embarrassing himself by blaming an injured toe for the points defeat in his post-fight press conference. Despite that, Boente believes a fight with Vitali would be an interesting one, with another Klitschko triumph far from assured.

'Nevertheless it would be interesting despite his loss to Wladimir because Vitali is a completely different style of fighter," he said. "Haye is a tough cookie and very quick. Where Wladimir's speed and mobility are under-rated, Vitali comes forward and punches very hard."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.