Tyson Fury has insisted that David Haye had no opponent in the offing before he accepted a deal to face him on September 28.
Fury and Haye will meet in Manchester later this year in what will be one of the most highly-anticipated bouts in British boxing history, and Fury has claimed that he is giving the former two-time world champion the opportunity to earn a "little bit of fame".
The 24-year told Haye at a press conference: "I'm throwing you a bone. You are the dog, and I am throwing you a bone.
"Before the Tyson Fury fight, where were you going to go? Who did you have to fight? Nobody.
"I'm giving you a chance, so that you can try to claim your little bit of fame by trying to beat Tyson Fury."
Fury is unbeaten in 21 heavyweight encounters, while Haye has won 26 of 28 fights.