Illness could scupper Uzbeki fighter’s chances
The World Boxing Association has placed a mandatory challenge on record for heavyweight champion David Haye, which the “Hayemaker” must follow through by April 3rd.
Haye, 30, must defend against number one contender Ruslan Chagaev before the given date, or he may be stripped of his title as he tries to negotiate with the Klitschko brothers for a unification bout in the spring.
Chagaev came through his WBA Title eliminator against American Travis “Freight Train” Walker last week and now hopes to get the Haye fight made even though he has been advised not to fight in his current condition.
The 32 year-old was diagnosed with Hepatitis B in 2009 but has fought three times since, as it seems his level of the disease is currently low and there is no risk of him passing it on during a fight.
David Haye has made no secret of his desire to unify the heavyweight division, with a fight with Wladimir Klitschko being his preferred choice, as he waits for the Ukrainian to defend his title against Dereck Chisora on December 11th.
It should be possible for Haye and Klitschko to negotiate a way around the mandatory challenge though, as the WBA would surely rule a unification higher than a mandatory, as the interest in Haye v Klitschko would far outway Haye v Chagaev.