Haye hits jackpot as boxing promoters want him to fight for them

LONDON - WBA heavyweight champion David Haye has hit the jackpot after he defeated American challenger John Ruiz, as promoters from both sides of the Atlantic scrap over him.

Golden Boy Promotions want to take Haye to the US, while Berlin-based Sauerland Events hope to put him on in Germany.

And his own Hayemaker Promotions could yet stage his next defence in England, The Sun reports.

Oscar de la Hoya of Golden Boy said: “David has the world in his hands. It’s just the beginning for him. He can really become the next Lennox Lewis, he has all the attributes a fighter needs. He can even become the next Mike Tyson. He’s that good.”

Haye picked up at least five million pounds for his ninth-round stoppage of Ruiz to earn the sort of worldwide profile that allowed Ricky Hatton to earn more than 20 million pounds for his showdown with Floyd Mayweather Jnr.

A Sauerland Events spokesman said: “I think David can be box office in whatever part of the world he chooses to fight in. He has the looks and the personality to go with his high level of boxing skills and we are very proud to have options for his next two fights.”

Haye, 29, wants to fight Klitschko brothers Vitali and Wladimir to fulfil his dream of unifying the world heavyweight division.

“Those big unification fights are just down the road now, they are the two I want most. They have always fought guys who are clearly overweight and out of shape. I’m not out of shape or just looking for a pay day,” Haye said. (ANI)