World heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko has distanced himself from a mega-fight with world cruiserweight champion, David Haye – but left the door open to the bout happening in 2009.

Klitschko, the consensus number one heavyweight in the world, is lined up to fight two mandatory challengers this year – America's Tony Thompson (IBF) and Russia's Alexander Povetkin (WBO). Should 'Dr. Iron Fist' negotiate both defences successfully, though, the chances of Klitschko versus Haye coming to fruition appear to be healthy.

"He (Haye) has great potential, but he has to put some weight on and get some fights as a heavyweight first," said Klitschko early last week. "Then we'll see.

"This year is impossible because I have two (mandatory challengers) in a row," added Klitschko, who first faces Thompson on July 12.

Though understanding of Klitschko's situation, London's Haye – universally recognized as The Man at cruiserweight – doesn't want Klitschko to forget him in a hurry.

"The last time an undisputed cruiserweight champion moved to heavyweight was when Evander Holyfield went on to become undisputed heavyweight champion," said Haye. "That's exactly what I'm going to do.

"There's nobody in the heavyweight division that has a better chance of beating Klitschko than I do. He knows that and he'll keep trying to cherry-pick these guys. He'll earn ten times more money fighting me than he will fighting these chumps that he's fighting."

Haye continued: "While I was out in Vegas for the Joe Calzaghe fight everyone – HBO, Showtime, and other boxers – were asking me when the Klitschko fight is going to happen. They were all saying 'you can take this guy out – you're fast enough to beat this guy' and he (Klitschko) knows it."

At a Seni08 combat sports event on Saturday, Haye approached Klitschko face-to-face and expressed his views to the giant Ukrainian in person.

"You knock those two bums (Thompson and Povetkin) on the head and we're going to get it on," said Haye to Klitschko at the event. "I don't want you to get beat by those two bums. I'm 220 pounds now and that's perfect. I'd beat you at 200."

Klitschko responded to Haye by saying: "Talk is cheap – you haven't delivered in the heavyweight division. Right now in the heavyweight division you're nobody."

"Fight the main man," Haye replied. "Fight The Hayemaker. The Hayemaker's coming for you. Don't hide – come and fight. When you get these two mandatories out the way, will you fight me then? Yes or no?"

Klitschko refused to be drawn on an answer and insisted Haye had to "get in line" first.

Should Haye and Klitschko share a ring next year it will mark the first genuine marquee heavyweight fight since Lennox Lewis and Mike Tyson met in June 2002.

In a stagnant division, with little star appeal and even less quality, Klitschko versus Haye could be the battle between champions that harkens back to a time when the heavyweight championship was once viewed as the greatest prize in sports. If there's one heavyweight fight out there that can save heavyweight boxing, it's Klitschko – the best heavyweight on the planet – against Haye – the best cruiserweight on the planet.