David Haye has rubbished claims by WBC Heavyweight Champion Vitali Klitschko that he refused to fight him in favour of a bout with fellow Brit Dereck Chisora.
Haye and Chisora will face each other in a highly controversial fight at Upton Park on July 14 after obtaining a licence to fight under the order of the Luxembourg Boxing Federation.
Klitschko claims that he offered Haye a fight, only for the former world champion to turn him down, but Haye vehemently denies this.
"It makes absolutely no sense for me to turn down a fight I desperately want," said the 31-year-old.
"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."
Many organisations, pundits and promoters have condemned the Haye vs. Chisora fight after the latter was stripped of his boxing license for his pre and post-fight antics when he faced Klitschko earlier this year.
Barney Corkhill
