• David Haye v Tyson Fury

Fury: 'Scared' Haye never wanted to face me

Tyson Fury has claimed David Haye is "scared" of him and had no intention of ever competing in their heavyweight bout in Manchester on February 8.

Haye took to Twitter on Sunday to reveal that he underwent shoulder surgery on Thursday, and has been advised to retire.

Thanks everyone for all the kind words of support. It means a great deal to me in these low times x pic.twitter.com/F5tRGZX770— David Haye (@mrdavidhaye) November 18, 2013

"I'm absolutely furious but in all honesty this is exactly what I expected," said Fury. "Everyone knows I was very suspicious when he pulled out the first time and this confirms to me that he's always been afraid of me and never wanted this fight."

Fury's promoter Mick Hennessy admitted the fighter's camp are pondering their legal position after the cancellation of the fight, which was scheduled to be shown on pay-per-view on Sky Box Office.

Hennessy said: "We are considering our legal position with regards the cost of all this.

"There has been a bad smell about this fight from the start. Even watching Haye when he's had to be around Tyson we got the impression that something was wrong. He's always been wary of big men and in my view was particularly worried because Tyson couldn't care less about him and his threats.

"In my view I can't understand why, having pulled out once, he asked for the fight to be put back on, only to then undergo shoulder surgery. Where has that come from?

"In my view it might just be, simply, that he's bottled it."

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