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Haye thrown Vitali lifeline as Wlad cools on rematch

David Haye couldn't get near enough to Wladimir Klitschko to hurt him © Getty Images

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David Haye is desperate to avenge his defeat against Wladimir Klitschko - but a more realistic option appears a fight with Wladimir's brother Vitali, the WBC heavyweight champion.

Although Wladimir appeared to offer Haye a rematch at the post-fight press conference, he has subsequently distanced himself from the idea by suggesting he will take on Dereck Chisora or Tyson Fury, who meet for the British and Commonwealth title later this month.

If Wladimir is out of the question for Haye, Vitali represents his only chance of grabbing a title before hanging up his gloves - although he would have to delay his retirement, which is currently scheduled for October, in order to accept the bout, as Vitali takes on Tomasz Adamek later this year.

"I know Haye intends to retire in October, but the fight we would like to see is Vitali Klitschko against David Haye," said Bernd Boente, who manages the Klitschko brothers, in the Telegraph. "But Vitali will first fight Adamek in October. Then I would like to see Haye versus Vitali. It is a fight I have in my mind, and it is definitely possible.

"I think it would be a good fight, and a great promotion - Haye's chance to redeem himself against the other Klitschko."

But Haye is refusing to abandon the dream of avenging his defeat against Wladimir, who triumphed by a wide points margin in Hamburg on Saturday. The Brit maintains he represents the most lucrative option for the Ukrainian.

"I still deep down believe I can beat him," Haye told Sky Sports. "The reason he fought me in the first place was money - he got paid a lot more than he's ever got paid before. That's what I bring to the table - not a title, but then no-one else has got a title, so who's he going to fight?

"I'm still the biggest fight out there for him. If he wants a rematch, I'd love that, but I don't think Wladimir's the type of guy to get back in the ring with someone as dangerous as me when I'm 100% fit."

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