Veteran boxing trainer Emanuel Steward has laughed off rumours of a fight between David Haye and WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko.

Haye suffered a crushing points defeat to Vitali's younger brother Wladimir Klitschko in July and subsequently called time on his career. Now reports are circulating that the Briton is keen for a comeback and a shot at Vitali.

"Oh, no. I hope this doesn't happen. David doesn't deserve it. His performance against Wladimir was terrible, appalling," he told the Daily Mail.

"Sadly, I keep hearing this fight might well go ahead because Vitali really wants to finish the job Wladimir started on Haye by knocking him out. Although from David's viewpoint you have to suppose he would only be doing it for the money."

Steward did, however, tempt Haye somewhat by saying that should the fight go ahead, that he does have a better shot against the older Vitali than he did against Wladimir.

"Vitali is bigger and hits hard but he comes straight in and doesn't have the same balance and elusive movement as Wladimir," he said.

"So David might give him a little more trouble. But that supposes he would come to fight this time, which on his performance against Wladimir is not certain."