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Harrison is not in Haye's league - Booth

Audley Harrison got his career back on track by winning the European title with a last-round knockout of Michael Sprott in April © Getty Images

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The manager of David Haye has accused Audley Harrison of attempting to jump the queue in a bid to seal a word title shot against the WBA heavyweight champion.

Adam Booth, who also trains Haye, does not feel the 2000 Olympic super-heavyweight champion is worthy of a shot at taking his fighter's crown and suggested that Harrison got lucky when he put himself back in the picture by stopping Michael Sprott to win the European title in April.

Harrison is being backed by German promoter Sauerland, who have a say in who Haye fights next, and the 38-year-old's decision to give up his title rather than defend it against Alexander Dimitrenko suggests he is confident of setting up a fight against either Haye or Wladimir or Vitali Klitschko.

Booth admits that Harrison is one of six options for the WBA champion's second defence, due to be in late October or November, but insists Haye's top priority is a unification match against either of the Klitschko brothers.

"As a boxing fan, I would hate to see David fight Audley," Booth said. "He's never boxed anyone in the top 40 and never produced in the ring. I know that maybe David didn't deserve a shot at Valuev.

"Within Britain it will be a fight that people would love to see, but [Haye] will receive a lot of criticism worldwide. He will be called a coward for not facing the Klitschkos and his credibility will be shot to pieces.

"Audley has to believe he has more chance of beating David than he does Wladimir or Vitali. I don't think he lasts four rounds with any of them, but with David he has got to have that belief that he finds his b******s and David's chin at the same time. I believe I know why he's given up the European title. He won the lottery by knocking out Sprott."

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