David Haye could get an early shot at Wladimir Klitschko

David Haye could get his wish of a spring bout against Wladimir Klitschko after all. The younger Klitschko defends his WBO, IBF and IBO heavyweight titles against Hasim Rahman in Mannheim, Germany, next month, but Haye could be next in line.

Haye, 28, marked his move up to heavyweight with a fifth-round knockout of Monte Barrett at the O2 Arena in London last month. It was widely assumed that Haye would have to wait in line after Alexander Povetkin, the 2004 Olympic super-heavyweight champion.

Povetkin was the IBF mandatory contender who should have been facing Klitschko, the Ukrainian, on December 13, until he suffered an ankle injury while out running.

However, while confirming that Povetkin will remain the No 1 contender, the IBF have given Klitschko (or Rahman if he wins) until September 13 to go through with the defence against Povetkin, leaving plenty of opportunity for another defence first. It also is far from clear whether the Russian will be fit and ready by next summer.

But Haye may be better served with another bout first. Golden Boy, who are partners to Haye's own company Hayemaker, want him to box in the United States to raise his profile to an American audience. They have offered Haye the chance to appear on HBO on January 24 in the chief support to Shane Mosley's next bout.

Mosley is going to face either Andre Berto, in Ontario, just east of Los Angeles, or Antonio Margarito in Las Vegas. If it is the latter, it will be a huge stage for Haye.

Haye has boxed twice in the US, both one-round victories in 2003. He stopped the horribly over-matched Roger Bowden in Miami Beach and then took just 54 seconds to beat someone named Vance Winn at the Playboy Mansion in Beverly Hills.

Comments

[Harry]

Mosley is definitely fighting Margarito at Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas on 24th January so fingers crossed Haye can get on that card.