Vitali Klitschko has revealed that David Haye turned down a deal to fight him in order to face Dereck Chisora instead.
The two Brits will go toe to toe at Upton Park on July 14 after obtaining a licence to fight under the order of the Luxembourg Boxing Federation.
It is a highly controversial move on behalf of promoter Frank Warren, who has come in for widespread criticism from fellow promoters, fans and pundits alike.
The WBC heavyweight champion believes that the upcoming bout has "no meaning" and laughed at suggestions that it is the biggest heavyweight match-up in the sport.
"Haye-Chisora? The biggest heavyweight fight out there? The Haye-Chisora is a fight between two losers," Vitali told The Telegraph. "Haye lost to Wladimir, Chisora lost to me.
"I offered Haye a fight for September, but he obviously does not want to fight me. He ducked out to face Chisora instead. The fight between them has no meaning in the sport."
Vitali's brother, Wladimir, has also branded the fight a "freak show".
Michael Penkman
