By Sean McDaniel: WBA heavyweight champion David Haye (25-1, 23 KO’s) could end up getting a big break if his #1 mandatory challenger Ruslan Chagaev (27-1, 17 KO’s) fails to receive medical clearance by the British Boxing Board of Control to fight Haye in the UK. Chagaev, 32, reportedly had Hepatitis B in the past, and if that illness is still lingering inside of him, the BBBofC will not let Chagaev fight Haye inside the UK.

In that case, Haye will have to decide whether to fight Chagaev outside of England or possibly take on his number #2 and #3 WBA ranked challengers Denis Boytsov (28-0, 23 KO’s) and Alexander Povetkin (21-0, 15 KO’s) next. Both of them would be a monumental leap up in competition for Haye for the kinds of fighters that Haye has been matched against since moving up to the heavyweight division three years ago in 2008.

Haye, for whatever reason, has been matched against strictly older fighters from 36 to 39. Boytsov is only 24-years-old, while Povetkin is 31. Both of those fighters would seem like spring chickens compared to the older guys that Haye has been put in with. For that reason alone, it would be interesting to see how Haye would stand up against younger guys who can actually punch back and who have reflexes still intact. Haye was knocked down by 38-year-old Monte Barrett in 2008, and Barrett was old and small.

Boytsov and Povetkin are bigger punchers and throw with combinations. I rate both of them better than Chagaev at this point. Either of them would be tough fights for Haye. He might better off going after Chagaev and fighting him outside of the UK if he has no other choice.