David Haye targets money-spinning fight against British rival Anthony Joshua

David Haye thinks a fight between himself and Anthony Joshua would be the biggest match-up in the heavyweight division. The former world champion does not think there is a more eye-catching fight to be made in his weight class.

The 35-year-old ended his self-imposed exile from the sport earlier in January when he defeated Australian Mark de Mori in devastating fashion. The London-born boxer – who is to return to the ring on 21 May at the O2 Arena – has revealed he hopes to face the Olympic gold medallist in the near future.

Despite this, Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn has claimed his fighter is focused on winning a world title rather than a domestic match-up against Haye. "If Eddie would rather him fight for a world title than fight me, then that is one way to go at it. I will have to get a world title to get that fight," Haye said, according to the Daily Star.

"For me that is the biggest fight out there, Eddie knows that, Joshua knows that, I know that. I'm willing to do it now but obviously he is a young guy who maybe needs more experience. But at some stage, you have got to step up if you want to fight for world titles."

Haye said he will seek to regain the world heavyweight title in order to force a money-spinning fight against Joshua. "I have to focus on getting into a position to get a belt around my waist if that is the only way he will fight me," he said. "Or maybe he will get a title and I will get in a mandatory position. Either way it means I need to progress closer to a world title which I'm aiming to do."

At his age, Haye has conceded he has no time to waste in his bid to reclaim the world title. "I'm straight back into it. I had a week off training, I've been out of the country getting some sunshine and doing recovery," he said.

"From next Sunday I'm getting back in full training and getting ready for the next fight. I booked the O2 at the next available date. I want to fight someone who is durable and someone who can hopefully ask me questions but the way I'm feeling now, I'm not sure there is anyone on the planet who can do that."