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(CNN) -- WBA heavyweight champion David Haye insists he will retire in October but has challenged Wladimir Klitschko to meet him in the ring in a world title unification bout before he quits.
Haye has been involved in a war of words with Klitschko, who holds the IBF and WBO versions of the title, and the Ukrainian's brother Vitali, the WBC champion.
Haye expected to fight Wladimir Klitschko early this year, but the double champion has opted to honor his agreement to take on another Briton, Dereck Chisora, on April 30.
Klitschko pulled out of a scheduled bout with Chisora in December through a stomach injury and it was believed it paved the way for a clash with Haye, who will now be forced into a mandatory defense against Ruslan Chagaev of Uzbekistan.
He is scared of getting knocked out and does not want to lose, fighting people on a good run
--David Haye
The move has enraged Haye, who earlier this week brand him "a coward" and pulled no punches when talking to reporters at a promotional event in London.
"He is scared of getting knocked out and does not want to lose, fighting people on a good run.
"What is wrong with now? Nothing. It does not make sense, especially after all the public campaign to get me in the ring.
"This would be a once in a life-time fight. "Once I retire, people will always ask him 'why did you not fight David Haye?'," added Haye.
July 2 in Germany remains a possible date and venue for the bout, but Haye is skeptical about it coming off and reiterated he would hang up his gloves as he turns 31 in mid-October.
"I am sure there will be a slight void, but you cannot fight forever," he said.
In other boxing news Friday, former British heavyweight boxing champion Gary Mason has been killed in a traffic accident in London while cycling.
Mason, 48, who was born in Jamaica, won 37 of his 38 professional bouts.
His only defeat came in a seventh round stoppage in 1991 to Lennox Lewis, who went on to become world champion.
Haye has been involved in a war of words with Klitschko, who holds the IBF and WBO versions of the title, and the Ukrainian's brother Vitali, the WBC champion.
Haye expected to fight Wladimir Klitschko early this year, but the double champion has opted to honor his agreement to take on another Briton, Dereck Chisora, on April 30.
Klitschko pulled out of a scheduled bout with Chisora in December through a stomach injury and it was believed it paved the way for a clash with Haye, who will now be forced into a mandatory defense against Ruslan Chagaev of Uzbekistan.
He is scared of getting knocked out and does not want to lose, fighting people on a good run
--David Haye
The move has enraged Haye, who earlier this week brand him "a coward" and pulled no punches when talking to reporters at a promotional event in London.
"He is scared of getting knocked out and does not want to lose, fighting people on a good run.
"What is wrong with now? Nothing. It does not make sense, especially after all the public campaign to get me in the ring.
"This would be a once in a life-time fight. "Once I retire, people will always ask him 'why did you not fight David Haye?'," added Haye.
July 2 in Germany remains a possible date and venue for the bout, but Haye is skeptical about it coming off and reiterated he would hang up his gloves as he turns 31 in mid-October.
"I am sure there will be a slight void, but you cannot fight forever," he said.
In other boxing news Friday, former British heavyweight boxing champion Gary Mason has been killed in a traffic accident in London while cycling.
Mason, 48, who was born in Jamaica, won 37 of his 38 professional bouts.
His only defeat came in a seventh round stoppage in 1991 to Lennox Lewis, who went on to become world champion.
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