By John F. McKenna (McJack): When former World Boxing Association (WBA) heavyweight champion David Haye (25-2, 23 KO’s) retired last October he left the door ajar as to whether he would come back to fight again.

The “Hayemaker” said at the time that the only way he would consider making a comeback was if he got the opportunity to fight one of the Klitschko’s. Having already defeated Haye by a one sided decision WBA/WBO/IBO/IBF and The Ring heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko (56-3, 49 KO’s) was unwilling to give him a rematch. That left WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko (43-2, 40 KO’s).

A couple of months after his retirement Haye announce to the press that he would be willing to come back to fight the elder Klitschko. The Klitschko camp then sent a contract to Haye for him to look over and hopefully sign. Vitali stated at the time that if the contract was not signed and returned within a few weeks that he would start looking elsewehere for an opponent. The Klitschko camp announced in December that Vitali would be fighting Haye’s fellow Brit, Dereck Chisora on February 18.

But “Dr. Ironfist” did not close the door on a possible fight with Haye in the summer of 2012. That fight would presumably take place in an a huge outdoor stadium, possibly Wembley. It was theorized that Haye would still be able to draw a huge crowd in his native England.

Both the Haye and Klitschko camps have admitted that they are at an impasse and miles apart from striking a deal for the Haye – Klitschko fight. Vitali at one point stated that Haye’s demands are ridiculous and that he still thinks he’s a champion. Adam Booth, Haye’s manager and trainer openly voiced similar complaints about the difficulty in negotiating with the Klitschko’s.

Haye has been counseled over the past few months to take a tune up fight before tangling with Vitali. Most recently former heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis urged David to have one or two fights to build up his credibility with boxing fans prior to taking a match with Vitali.

Haye now finds himself between the proverbial rock and a hard place. If he takes one or two tune up fights and loses, any chance of landing a big money fight would be gone. On the other hand if Haye opts to fight “Dr. Ironfist” before he takes any tune up fights, he most certainly will become another victim of a Vitali Klitschko beat down.