By Sean McDaniel: WBA heavyweight champion David Haye (25-1, 23 KO’s) and his trainer/manager Adam Booth have given up on the July 2nd unification mega-fight with IBF/WBO Wladimir Klitschko (55-3, 49 KO’s) and will be moving ahead to fight #1 WBA mandatory challenger Ruslan Chagaev (27-1-1, 17 KO’s) next for a fight that will likely take place in May. Booth had this to say about Klitschko: “The Klitschko situation is dead. I have asked Chagaev’s manager to supply medical records.” The medical records are out of concern for Haye’s safety, as there has been speculation in the past that Chagaev has had hepatitis.

As for the Klitschko bout, Haye and Booth didn’t want to risk accepting the July 2nd fight and possibly ending up wasting time if Wladimir was unable to make the fight date. Wladimir chose to take a tune-up bout on April 30th against Dereck Chisora (14-0, 9 KO’s), and Haye believes that Wladimir won’t be able to make it back into the ring so soon after that fight to fulfill his July 2nd date with him. As such, Haye is walking away form countless millions for the Klitschko fight to take a risky title defense against Chagaev. Haye may end up sorry for this move if Chagaev is able to pull off an upset.

Chagaev is arguably better Haye’s previous heavyweight opponents Nikolay Valuev, Monte Barrett, Audley Harrison, Tomas Bonin, and John Ruiz. If Haye isn’t able to bowl Chagaev over with one of his hayemaker shots, Haye could find himself in a real dog fight. Chagaev has good skills and will be able to reach Haye with his shots. He’s not someone that will be too petrified to throw a shot back at Haye. This could turn out badly for Haye if he gets knocked out.