Boxing promoter Mick Hennessy has said that he is considering legal action following the news that David Haye has cancelled a bout with Tyson Fury for the second time.

The former WBA world heavyweight champion revealed last night that he underwent reconstructive shoulder surgery in Germany on Thursday morning, and has since been advised by doctors to retire.

The news comes just over eight weeks since the 33-year-old withdrew from their original September 28 date because of a cut he suffered above his eye in sparring.

Hennessy has questioned whether Haye ever had any intention of getting in the ring and said that he may seek recompense should his fighter not be able to fill the February 8 pay-per-view slot.

"We are considering our legal position with regards the cost of all this," he told the Daily Mail. "There has been a bad smell about this fight from the start. Even watching Haye when he's had to be around Tyson we got the impression that something was wrong.

"He's always been wary of big men and in my view was particularly worried because Tyson couldn't care less about him and his threats.

"In my view I can't understand why, having pulled out once, he asked for the fight to be put back on, only to then undergo shoulder surgery. Where has that come from? In my view it might just be, simply, that he's bottled it."

Fury has suggested Bermane Stiverne, Chris Arreola and Deontay Wilder as possible opponents.