Promoter Frank Maloney is planning to make David Haye the richest sportsman in British history.

David Beckham is the highest paid British sportsman at the moment, according to the Times rich list, with his £112million fortune making him the nation's 619th wealthiest person.

Eighty-one places below him is former boxer Lennox Lewis who has £100million in the bank, but Maloney is confident rising star Haye will earn more than both of them.

The promoter added: "I still don't think people realise the potential David has and what he can do over the next five years.

"We talk about the sort of money footballers can earn but if David Haye dedicates his life to boxing for the next five years I believe he will be the wealthiest sportsman that we've ever produced in Britain.

"Lennox Lewis was an incredible figure but if David can switch between the weights (cruiserweight and heavyweight) and rule both for three to five years I think he'll be the wealthiest sportsman this country has seen."

Haye stepped up to the heavyweight division last Friday with an explosive first-round knockout of Tomasz Bonin, who was ranked 11 by the WBC, at Wembley Arena.

Maloney continued: "David has tested the heavyweight division but he is a cruiserweight and will be going back down to challenge for the WBC title, which is now at private negotiation stage.

"The plan is to win that, make a couple of defences and then step up to heavyweight again.

"We'll go to New York to meet with a number of people, including Showtime and HBO.

"We'll present them with tapes of some of David's knockouts because we all know that to be a real legend in boxing you need to conquer the American market.

"I believe it is crying out for someone of David Haye's personality.

"Not many Brits are big over there - Ricky Hatton is over there but he hasn't really conquered it.

"Lennox Lewis is the only fighter to really do it as he dominated for 12 years."

Haye is also convinced he will rule the heavyweight division in time.

Friday's victory confirmed for himself that he can dominate at heavyweight, but first he must dispose of Jean Marc Mormeck, the current WBC and WBA cruiserweight champion.

He said: "I'm absolutely certain I can rule the heavyweight roost.

"As I'm developing and maturing, my power has gone through the roof. Every part of me is stronger and faster.

"I'm faster at heavyweight than I was two years ago at cruiserweight and I was always a quick cruiserweight.

"If any of the heavyweight champions had been in there with me the other night I would have knocked them out.

"Even against the bigger guys it will be the same - Mike Tyson was only 15 and half stones but he had the speed to dominate.

"People go on about size but if someone lands a shot on you then it doesn't really matter how big you are."

Haye's showdown with Mormeck, who is promoted by Don King, is likely to take place in the autumn with the location of the fight the main area of contention.



Is their any fighters left in the Heavies who can generate the sort of figures that were common in the Tyson,Lewis and Holyfield era..?