• Heavyweight

Klitschko in Haye fight rejection claim

ESPN staff
February 28, 2013
David Haye tasted defeat to Wladimir Klitschko in July 2011 © PA Photos
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Vitali Klitschko has fired back at David Haye, claiming the British heavyweight turned down the chance to fight him last year.

Haye has made repeated calls for Klitschko to meet him in the ring, but the two sides have failed to reach an agreement.

The Bermondsey Bomber recently told Klitschko to 'man up' and put his name on a contract so they can meet in the ring.

But it would now appear that Klitschko put a deal in front of Haye in 2012. Klitschko most recently fought in September last year, beating Manuel Charr, but it has now emerged it could have been Haye and not Charr in the opposite corner in that fight.

"David Haye had an opportunity to face me on September 10 in Moscow," Klitschko is quoted as saying on boxingbet.pl. "All the necessary paperwork was sent to him, all he needed to do was sign the contract.

"Unfortunately, David refused. It meant his train drove away."

Klitschko is now heavily involved in politics and there are reports suggesting he will hang up his gloves in the coming weeks.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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