Haye (right) and Wladimir Klitschko have crossed paths on the boxing circuit

Promoters for heavyweight champions David Haye and the Ukrainian Klitschko brothers have held talks for the first time in more than a year in Las Vegas.

After IBF and WBO champion Wladimir Klitschko pulled out of a title defence against Derek Chisora, his US advisors met with Haye's American advisors.

BBC Radio 5 live's boxing reporter Mike Costello said it may prove significant.

"People are getting giddy over here [in Las Vegas] about the prospect of this fight taking place at last," he said.

A big-money fight between former cruiserweight Haye, 30, and Wladimir Klitschko - or his WBC champion brother Vitali - has been mooted since the Londoner made a permanent move to the heavyweight division in 2008.

606: DEBATE Will Haye fight a Klitschko next year?

The Englishman was set to fight Wladimir last year but pulled out with a back injury, later beating Nikolay Valuev to secure the WBA crown.

Haye, though, has promised to take on both brothers - who largely box out of Germany - before retiring next October, but negotiations between the Ukrainian and British camps have repeatedly stalled.

Wladimir pulled out of his defence against English fighter Chisora on Wednesday, claiming he could not take part because of a stomach injury.

And Costello added that the cancellation could be good news for people wanting to see Haye fight a Klitschko.

"Almost immediately, Klitchsko's American advisors spoke to Haye's American advisors and said 'let's try and get this fight done - it's a fight that the sport needs'," said Costello.

Since then, Haye's personal manager Adam Booth has met with Haye's American promoters Golden Boy - who put on Amir Khan's WBA light-welterweight defence over Marcos Maidana on Saturday - to discover what terms they are prepared to accept, and offer.

"If you're wondering why two American sides are trying to negotiate a fight between a Ukrainian and a Brit, it's simply because their two sides have reached such a deadlock that they are barely on speaking terms," added Costello.

"They're almost acting as mediators.

"But the other issue is that they want the fight. It would be a monster fight for Vegas, as it would be in Britain and Germany. So the venue might be one of the sticking points."

Booth himself told The Guardian that: "If it happens, it will happen very quickly. Bernd Bonte [Klitschko's promoter] said he would ring me after the 12th [of December], so here we are."

Haye, meanwhile, said that he thought the fight should take place in London, where he believed it would make the most money.

"That's what boxing comes down to," he stated.

"I believe that would be at Wembley stadium; a few people believe it will be over here [in Las Vegas]. I'd love that."

However Chisora insists he will not step aside for Haye after Wladimir Klitschko's withdrawal from their planned title bout.

In an interview with 5 live last month Vitali Klitschko stated that he wants to fight Haye in the spring of 2011, before his younger brother got the chance, because he believes Wladimir would "kill" Haye.

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