• Boxing

Haye's retirement confirmed by board

ESPN staff
October 11, 2011
David Haye turns 31 on Thursday © Getty Images
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David Haye has told the British Boxing Board of Control that he does not wish to renew his fight licence, a move that will bring the curtain down on his career.

Haye turns 31 on Thursday, and has maintained for years that he will not box on past that date. However, he did say last month that he was willing to postpone his exit if he could agree a bout with Vitali or Wladimir Klitschko.

But his trainer and manager Adam Booth revealed at the weekend that there has been no offer from either of the Klitschkos - and now it seems that Haye's patience has run out.

"I received an email on Monday advising me Haye would not be carrying on," said British Boxing Board of Control secretary Robert Smith to the Sun. "The board will discuss it on Wednesday but there is no way we could go against his wish not to renew his boxing licence. Without it, he can't fight."

The Brit bows out on a losing note, having surrendered the WBA heavyweight title to Wladimir in his most recent fight. He won the strap from Nikolai Valuev in November 2009, before defending it against John Ruiz and Audley Harrison.

Prior to boxing at heavyweight, Haye was a unified cruiserweight champion, defeating Enzo Maccarinelli in March 2008 to collect the WBA, WBC and WBO titles. His record stands at 25 wins, 23 of which came by way of knockout, and two losses: against Wladimir and Carl Thompson, who beat Haye in September 2004.

Smith added to BBC Radio 5 Live: "Obviously his last fight must have been bitterly disappointing for him, but if you look at his career as a whole he has been very good to the sport and we wish him well. There are many instances when heavyweights can go on longer than the smaller weight divisions but he has his whole life ahead of him, he has achieved a great deal and good luck to the man.

"You dedicate your life to your sport and to find something after that endeavour is very difficult for anybody.''

Haye's promotional vehicle also appears to be winding down, with crown jewel George Groves, the British and Commonwealth super-middleweight champion, defecting to Frank Warren's stable.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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