By Mark Vester

WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko can't believe the seven-foot giant, former champion Nikolai Valuev, turned down an offer of $2.5 million for a fight. The two sides have been negoiating for several weeks. The offer began at $1 million and then went to $2 million and ended with $2.5 million. Valuev's side made a demand for $4 million. The only way Valuev was willing to take the $2.5 million, is if Klitschko's side kicked in a percentage of the money from the Russian, German and possibly American television.

Klitschko thinks Valuev is scared and fear is the real reason the former champ turned down all of his offers. K2 announced on Tuesday Klitschko would fight Polish heavyweight Albert Sosnowski on May 29.

"Valuev is chicken," Klitschko said. "We gave him the biggest financial proposal of his career – $2.5 million – and he says 'no'. He understands that if he loses this fight, that's it for a long time in his career. Because it's the money for his pension – that's why he wanted $4 million. He's not a big champion," Klitschko said.

Send News Tips and Comments To Mark Vester @ boxingvester@gmail.com