By Gareth A Davies, Telegraph.co.uk
Chagaev, the 31-year-old southpaw, out-thought Meehan to win 118-10, 117-111, 117-112 on the cards, and made no secret of the fact afterwards that he "has his sights" set on 29-year-old Londoner Haye, who in turn, has intimated that a meeting with one of the world champion Klitschko brothers, Vitali or Wladimir, in a title unification contest, is the principal project on his chalkboard.
However, behind the scenes, preliminary talks between the respective Haye-Klitschko camps have yet to begin, with Wladimir Klitschko now facing a mandatory challenge for the International Boxing Federation belt he holds from unbeaten Russian Alexander Povetkin. Klitschko also holds the World Boxing Organisation crown.
Adam Booth, Haye's manager and trainer, said that "talks have not even begun yet" with either of the Klitschko brothers.
It is understood that Haye may indeed face Chagaev next, with suggestions that even former Olympic gold medallist Audley Harrison could be a possible opponent in the UK, but no firm decisions are likely to being made for at least another month.
Elsewhere, Manny Pacquiao's agreement to a 14-day pre-fight random drug-testing cut-off period leading into a contest with Floyd Mayweather Jr is no guarantee that the superfight between the world's leading pound-for-pound fighters will go ahead in November. Mayweather has demanded testing up until fight day.
Bob Arum, Pacquiao's promoter, has moved Antonio Margarito into the frame as a possible opponent for the Filipino congressman should no agreement be reached with Mayweather's advisers.
British veteran light-middleweight Ryan Rhodes, 33, ranked No 4 by the World Boxing Council and promoted by Ricky Hatton, has moved a step closer to a world title contest after outclassing and stopping Italian Luca Messi in Sheffield in the sixth round of his European title defence.
Source: telegraph.co.uk
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