Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer

( L - R ) Powell, Gay

If you want to see Asafa Powell face Tyson Gay, the price has to be right, according to Powell's agent Paul Doyle. And the right price was not forthcoming, which forced the cancellation of the Norwich Union Super Grand Prix showdown in Crystal Palace, London on August 3.

It was reported in British media that Powell, the world 100m record holder, has turned down a "big-money offer" to take on Gay, considered to be the best sprinter this season, over 100 metres at Crystal Palace.

In a report carried on telegraph.co.uk, Jon Ridgeon, the managing director of Fast Track, the promoters of Britain's televised meetings, said: "We made a very competitive offer to Asafa Powell but his agent, Paul Doyle, has taken a view that he does not want to face Gay over 100m in London before Osaka."

Doyle, while confirming they did make an offer for Powell to face Gay, added that Powell did not refuse big bucks. He said the organisers were not willing to pay what it takes for a super clash.

"It (offer) was competitive. It's around the same thing a lot of the meets are giving, but they were expecting him to race Tyson Gay," he said while hinting that's a race they will have to pay big for.

"We did offer to run against Tyson Gay," Doyle stated.

"It's the most valuable thing for Asafa to race Tyson Gay, but at the same time, this match-up is something special. We don't want anything else, like any other race, and that's what they wanted us to do. They were not willing to pay the asking price," he added.

The Telegraph also reported that "the offer would undoubtedly have topped anything the sprinters have been offered elsewhere to race each other."

However, according to Doyle, that statement is unfounded.

"I don't know now how they came up with that, because about five or six meets have offered (Powell) more than that this season.

"What we were offered it's not even half of what we were getting elsewhere," he explained.

Powell would also have bad memories of Crystal Palace as the last time he was there - 2005 to face Justin Gatlin in a clash of the world's fastest men - he pulled up 10 metres into the race.

The injury forced him to miss the 2005 World Championships, which saw Gatlin, who is now facing an eight-year doping ban, go on to win the sprint double.

In the meantime, Doyle said Powell is fully fit and now awaits his final race before the August 25 - September 2 World Championships - the DN Gala on August 7 in Stockholm, Sweden.