By Scott Gilfoid: WBA heavyweight champion David Haye (25-1, 23 KO’s) has said in the past that he didn’t care which of the Klitschko brothers he fights, just as long as it’s one of the Klitschkos. Haye had his chance to fight both of them at time or another, and Haye backed out with either an injury or just bailed altogether.

After his win over the hand-picked Audley Harrison last weekend, WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko called Haye out and agreed to fight him in a 50-50 deal with all the money split in half for the fight. Vitali even went so far as to entertain the idea of fighting Haye in the UK, as long as it was the venue that made the most money. So what does Haye do?

He and his trainer/manager say that they’re interested in facing IBF/WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko before 39-year-old Vitali. Now why would they do that? Is Haye afraid of Vitali? I have a theory that Haye wants Vitali to age a little bit more while he waits to get a shot against Haye, and by doing so Vitali have lost enough for Haye to beat him somehow.

I also have a feeling that Haye will never face Vitali, even if Haye defeats Wladimir. I can see Haye just going off into the sunset and retiring after beating Wladimir rather than facing Vitali to try and beat both of the Klitschkos. That’s how I see it. I think Haye only intends on fighting one of them, and that’s Wladimir.

If Haye wins that fight, Vitali may be waiting a long time to get a shot at Haye, because I think Haye will retire at that point with his three titles and say he’s the undisputed heavyweight champion. I think Haye is afraid of Vitali, and wants no part of him.

If I’m the Klitschkos, I’d give him a take it or leave it offer. Either he faces Vitali right now, while Vitali is still young enough to fight, or he can forget fighting Wladimir. You have to be assertive win negotiating with Haye, otherwise he’ll have the Klitschkos fighting in the UK, listening to all the screaming fans and having to deal with Haye’s roughhouse tactics in the ring. Forget that.

This fight needs to be fought in a neutral venue, and it has to be Vitali first before he gets too old to fight Haye. When you get as old as Vitali, you can break down at any time. We’ve already seen Vitali miss out on at least five years of his career due to different injuries in the past. You can’t make Vitali wait longer while Haye takes on his preferred brother. You got to be firm with the guy and tell what the deal is.