• Boxing

Haye willing to delay retirement for Klitschko

ESPN staff
September 10, 2011
David Haye was stripped of his © PA Photos
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David Haye has backtracked on his retirement plans, claiming he will delay hanging up his gloves for another shot against one of the Klitschko brothers.

Haye had planned to retire before his 31st birthday in October, but having lost his WBA heavyweight title to Wladimir Klitschko in July, the Brit is willing to push back his retirement by six months if granted a rematch against Wladimir, or the chance to fight WBC champion Vitali Klitschko.

Vitali defends his WBC title against Tomasz Adamek in Poland on Saturday, while Wladimir intends to return to the ring in December, with an opponent yet to be confirmed.

"If I am given a rematch against Wladimir- which I do not believe I will - or Vitali will fight me, I will postpone my retirement for six months," Haye told German daily Bild.

"I've reconsidered everything after talking to my family and meeting with Lennox Lewis in Montego Bay, Jamaica. We chilled out there and Lennox gave me some tips on how to beat Vitali, just like he did in 2003.

"I will keep my fingers crossed Klitschko wins, something I wouldn't normally do to save my life. I want him to clean up this Polish plum Adamek and retain his title, so that he will fight me. Vitali should give me the chance, if he dares. He is supposed to have a dangerous punch, which I doubt."

Haye, who suffered a broken toe in his defeat to Wladimir Klitschko, believes a clash against his brother would be a fitting finale to both their careers.

"Vitali is 40 and will stop at some point," he said. "For his finale, there is no better opponent than me. And I would send him into retirement, but without his championship belt."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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