A summer world heavyweight title fight at Stamford Bridge could still happen if Wladimir Klitschko chooses to fight David Haye rather than Chris Arreola.
Haye initially came to an agreement with WBC champion Vitali Klitschko to meet on June 20 but the latter's mandatory defence against Juan Carlos Gomez on March 31 meant he was unable to make the London date.
The younger Klitschko brother, who Haye memorably first publicly challenged last April in London, could still fulfill the date if he chooses a bout with the former cruiserweight champion over an offer to fight Arreola in Los Angeles on May 16.
Talks between Klitschko and Arreola are believed to have stalled though an offer remains on the table to meet at the 20,000-capacity Staples Center.
Wladimir has repeatedly stated that he would like to punish Haye for his big mouth and may have been given extra motivation by the publication of a picture of his prospective challenger holding a mock picture of his severed head - which led to a minor scuffle between the Londoner and Vitali in Mannheim last month.
If Klitschko denies the opportunity to fight Haye it is unlikely he would be able to meet him before the middle or end of 2010 as he has to fulfill the IBF mandatory challenge against Alexander Povetkin by September 19 and then possibly WBO's number one ranked contender Alexander Dimitrenko in his following fight.
With the offers for the IBF/WBO/Ring Magazine champion from both the Arreola and Haye camps believed to be substantial Klitschko is in an enviable position as he decides whether to take on the Hayemaker or the generally considered lighter challenge of the unbeaten American heavyweight.
The only place to watch David Haye's next three fights is on Setanta.
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