By Sean McDaniel: WBA heavyweight champion David Haye is fighting Audley Harrison tonight. If Haye wins, fans expect him to step up and take on one of the Klitschko brothers next. However, Haye still isn’t ready to commit to a fight against them unless he gets what he wants in negotiations. Haye has attempted to fight the Klitschko brothers on several occasions, but hasn’t been happy with what he’s been seeing from them in the negotiation process. In an article at the Pressandjournal.co.uk, Haye said “In an ideal world I’ll fight both Klitschkos next year and retire. First they need to get off their high horses. They are not treating me like a champion. I think they know they are going to lose.”

Setting aside Haye’s comments about the Klitschkos knowing they’re going to lose, Haye says he plans on retiring at the end of next year. This means that unless he’s able to come to an agreement with one of the Klitschkos soon, he’ll be walking away from a massive amount of money. It might be smarter for Haye to bend a little rather than to lose out on a huge payday and end up looking a lot like Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao when the two of them were unable to agree on a few minor points.

Haye can certainly still make a lot of money, but it will likely take him two to three fights to make what he would in one bout against the Klitschko brothers. It might be smarter for Haye to give a little just so that the fight can happen. It isn’t like Haye has a ton of experience at heavyweight or has beaten anyone worth mentioning while fighting at cruiserweight. Most of Haye’s wins at cruiserweight have come against obscure fighters, and Haye’s wins at heavyweight have all come against fighters nearing 40. Nikolay Valuev is the closest thing that Haye has come to fighting a star, and that fight was incredibly boring to watch because Haye refused to engage until the last seconds of the bout.

Haye’s promoter Kalle Sauerland believes that he can put together a fight with one of the Klitschko brothers, and get the 50-50 deal that Haye craves so badly. In an article at the dailystar.co.uk, Sauerland said “The Klitschkos want the fight and David wants the fight. And it has to be a fight with Wladimir because Vitali is tied up with the WBC and is already scheduled to fight another opponent. Wladimir fights Dereck Chisora next month, so the timings are perfect for him and David.” Of course the timing is perfect, but unless Sauerland is able to get Haye to actually agree to the fight, he’ll be retiring without facing either of the Klitschkos.

None of this will mean anything unless Haye beats Audley Harrison tonight at the M.E.N. Arena, in Manchester, England.