Haye rejects jibes from Klitschko camp

David Haye has rubbished claims from Vitali Klitschko's manager that he is "afraid" of facing the Ukrainian heavyweight Bernd Boente, who manages both Vitali and his brother Wladimir, yesterday said that he had offered a contract to Haye prior to the announcement of the bout between the two Londoners, but that the Bermondsey fighter turned it down as he was scared of the 40-year-old Ukrainian. Haye denies that he turned down the fight and, should he get past his match against Dereck Chisora this July, he is targeting a September bout with the WBC heavyweight champion. Haye said: "It makes absolutely no sense for me to turn down a fight I desperately want. "Remember, the whole idea behind going ahead with this Chisora fight was that a victory may then lead to a fight with Vitali Klitschko. "That was my plan, my reason for returning to the ring. I want to fight on July 14 and then again in September, and have been telling people this for months now." After moving up from cruiserweight, Haye vowed to end the Klitschkos' domination of the sport's marquee division, but he suffered a decisive points defeat to WBA, WBO and IBF champion Wladimir last summer. Undeterred, Haye is still convinced he can beat the elder Klitschko, and claims Boente's statements are a way for Vitali to save face. Haye said: "At this advanced stage in his career, the last thing on Vitali's mind are tough challenges in the ring. "He's essentially semi-retired, which is fine, so long as he comes clean about it. Don't go stringing everybody along - fighters and fans - when some of us know the truth. "Unfortunately, Vitali will probably now look to fight some no-hoper, while telling the boxing world I turned down the fight. "I will never turn down a fight with Vitali." Hayes comments come weeks before the former two-weight world champion is due to face Dereck Chisora on July 14 at Upton Park - a grudge match taking place under a Luxembourg licence as neither fighter holds a British licence. Haye's trainer and manager Adam Booth echoed his charge's comments. "A few weeks ago I received a first draft contract from K2/KMG (the Klitschkos), as a formal offer for the fight between David and Vitali," said Booth. "Once we'd announced the Chisora fight I left a message for Shelly Finkel, in which I informed him we were ready to move to completion of the agreement for Vitali versus David. However, since that message was sent to Finkel, I have received no reply. "Today I read that Herr Boente claims David 'turned the fight down' and 'does not want to fight Vitali'. Both of these claims are completely false. If Vitali wants to fight David in September, we are here and happy to accept. If not, no worries or sadness from our side. "Maybe K2 realised during Vitali's fight with Chisora in February that their precious champion was drastically slowing down and didn't fancy going up against anyone too quick in the future. Whatever their reasoning, if Herr Boente is happy to spin the lines he feeds people, good for him."