Wednesday 6 December 2017 18:05, UK
David Haye must force his way into contention to challenge Anthony Joshua because he "isn't on our radar", promoter Eddie Hearn said.
Haye had mentioned a desire to "challenge for the No 1 spot" against Joshua but that opportunity depends on the outcome of his rematch with Tony Bellew on May 5, live on Sky Sports Box Office.
"I am more confident than ever that Bellew wins, but if Haye were to win, then his popularity and the size of a fight [against Joshua] would mean it could be one to consider," Hearn told Sky Sports.
If Haye were to win, then his popularity and the size of a fight [against Joshua] would mean it could be one to consider.
"If he beats Bellew he could make some noise about [fighting Joshua].
"One of his big motivations is to fight Joshua but he isn't on our radar, at the moment."
Haye postponed his rematch with Bellew to recuperate from a bicep injury, having also damaged his Achilles when defeated in their first meeting.
The 37-year-old knows he must rebound with a performance similar to Joshua's streak of knockouts to earn another chance to win a world title.
"I'm not only looking at winning this fight, I really want to make a statement and show the world I am an elite heavyweight," Haye told Sky Sports News.
"I am a guy who can challenge for that No 1 spot. Anything other than a conclusive, spectacular victory, is a failure in my eyes. If I win the fight, but I struggle, I'm honest enough with myself to know the likes of Anthony Joshua, the No 1 in the division... if I cannot beat Tony Bellew in emphatic style, then I've got no business mentioning his name.
"Not only do I have to win, I have to win in a style that you would expect [from] the best heavyweight in the world. I don't want my performance to be any less than you would expect from an Anthony Joshua to deal with Tony Bellew."
Joshua remains in negotiations to set up a world title unification fight against Joseph Parker, whose promoter described the talks as "deadlocked" earlier this week.
