David Haye hopes beating Tony Bellew will seal a record-breaking fight against Anthony Joshua.
The former world heavyweight and cruiserweight champion has the third fight of his comeback against fellow Briton Tony Bellew at the O2 Arena in London on March 4.
Haye (28-2, 26 KOs), 36, was out for more than three years before returning in January and hopes victory over WBC cruiserweight champion Bellew (28-2-1, 18 KOs) in a heavyweight non-title bout will set up a clash with unbeaten Joshua.
But Joshua (17-0, 17 KOs), 27, has his own plans, starting with a second defence of the IBF world heavyweight title against American Eric Molina (25-3, 19 KOs) on Dec. 10. If he is successful, then the plan is for Joshua to face former world No. 1 Wladimir Klitschko.
But 'The Hayemaker', who reigned as WBA world heavyweight champion between 2009 and 2011, is confident of facing Joshua -- Britain's 2012 Olympic gold medallist -- in 2017.
"He will fight Klitschko in April and hopefully Joshua wins that fight then whenever it makes sense [to broadcasters] is when it will happen," Haye told reporters.
"But it's if Joshua wants it. He doesn't mention the fight with me, ever, even though it could take place at Wembley, which is very strange.
"Hopefully the Wladimir Klitschko fight gets made. Klitschko will have been out of the ring a year and a half and if there's any time for Klitschko to be beat it's now because he has been so inactive. Joshua is younger and fresher.
"Me against Joshua would break all records.
"Getting a world title fight is not about rankings but how much money you bring to the table. This will be the biggest grossing fight O2 will have had.
"When you bring that to the table instead of being just some random dangerous guy it helps."
Haye believes Joshua, who has stopped all of his professional opponents, has had it easy after winning the IBF title from American Charles Martin by second round stoppage in April.
"Joshua hasn't beat a reigning world champion," Haye said.
"He fought Charles Martin who won it against a guy whose leg popped out in the second round.
"Martin offered the fight because they realised I generate a lot of money but Eddie Hearn chucked more money -- £5million -- at Charles Martin. I couldn't do that."