Wednesday 15 June 2016 13:53, UK
David Haye could return to Sky Sports Box Office against Tony Bellew at a catchweight of 210lbs early next year, says Eddie Hearn.
Bellew became WBC world cruiserweight champion in May when he climbed off the canvas to halt Ilunga Makabu at a jubilant Goodison Park and the Liverpudlian immediately turned his attention to former cruiserweight and heavyweight king Haye.
For Tony, he really wants a high-profile name at cruiserweight or a unification fight in September and then he could move on to the Haye fight.
Haye (28-2-KO26) last made cruiserweight when unifying the WBC, WBA and WBO titles against Enzo Maccarinelli in early 2008 and the 35-year-old weighed in at a career-high 227¼lbs for January's comeback win against Mark de Mori.
But Hearn told Sky Sports: "Tony is 33 and the Haye fight is so big financially, compared to other fights out there, that it is something you've got to take seriously.
"You have to remember, Tony came down to 200 pounds and would probably have preferred to fight at 210 against Ilunga Makabu. Can Haye get down to 210 or thereabouts? Probably.
"I can't see Haye manoeuvring a shot at heavyweight just yet, and he wants big money fights. He can't get on Sky Box Office but he can if he fights Bellew.
"For Tony, he really wants a high-profile name at cruiserweight or a unification fight in September and then he could move on to the Haye fight in February or March next year."
Bellew has a host of possibilities laid before him as he begins the selection process for his maiden defence, with WBC champion 'in recess' Grigory Drozd, WBC mandatory challenger Mairis Briedis and WBA and IBF king Denis Lebedev all in the mix.
