Boxing: Wladimir is a coward, says bemused Haye

WBA world boxing heavyweight champion David Haye claims he is "done with Wladimir Klitschko" and has branded him a "coward" for opting to fight Dereck Chisora rather than unifying the sport's different belts in a 2011 showdown.

Haye has been engaged in protracted negotiations with Ukrainian Wladimir Klitschko, who holds the IBF and WBO versions of the titles and is regarded as the world's best heavyweight.

However, it was announced that Klitschko will honour his agreement to fight Haye's fellow Londoner Chisora on April 30 after a stomach injury forced the champion to pull out of their proposed clash last month.

A bemused Haye said in a statement: "We agreed to a date of July 2 at a venue in Germany with both Sky Sports and RTL and everybody appeared happy with the deal.

"We made a few concessions to remove past stumbling blocks and were happy to do so, as it finally looked like the fight would get made.

"Even through negotiations, though, it was clear Wladimir was looking for the coward's way out. He would often come up with new obstacles and problems to overcome, and I never once sensed he fancied it."

With everything in place for a Haye bout, Klitschko nevertheless settled for Chisora, before insisting he planned to face both Britons this year with Klitschko saying: "The fight with Haye is not off, the fight is on. We had to get clearance on a date with Sky TV for pay per view in the UK and they we were concerned about conflicting with the upcoming Royal wedding.

"The wedding is set for the end of April and we got clearance on a fight date of July 2, for sure."

But Haye does not believe Klitschko will get in the ring with him - or anyone else - only nine weeks after doing battle with Chisora.

The 30-year-old said: "If the fight doesn't happen now, it never will. I'm done with the Klitschkos.

"I know I can retire later this year with my head held high, knowing I did everything in my power to make these fights happen."