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Haye had nothing left to prove - Bunce

Steve Bunce: 'I can see David Haye laughing off the critics somewhere hot' © Getty Images

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• Profile: David Haye

Haye's career in pictures

David Haye can hold his head high in retirement having achieved more than anyone anticipated, according to ESPN columnist Steve Bunce.

The British Boxing Board of Control confirmed on Tuesday that Haye, 30, will not look to renew his fighter's licence. He ends with a 25-2 record, having suffered defeat in his most recent bout, a unification showdown in Germany with Wladimir Klitschko.

Despite the crushing nature of that points loss, Bunce believes Haye deserves to be celebrated for unifying the cruiserweight division and winning the WBA heavyweight title. Few expected him to scoop so many belts after he suffered a defeat in his 11th professional bout against Carl Thompson in 2004.

"So David Haye has finally made official what many people dreaded: He's quit the ring," Bunce told ESPN. "I'm in the 'David has nothing to prove' camp. Sure, I would have loved to see him fight Vitali Klitschko and Tyson Fury and Chris Arreola, but he's made a bold decision and that's cool.

"He went much further and made much more than anybody could have predicted. He gave the British boxing fans a lot of thrills and spills and fun. There was, it has to be said, some heartache at the end when people were upset with the Wladimir Klitschko fight and the Audley Harrison romp.

"In the future he will act and become a professional celebrity. I can hear the screams of the envious now and I can also hear David laughing off the critics somewhere hot - and smiling as the sun sets on a glorious sea. That's the way to go."

Former world featherweight champion Barry McGuigan claims Haye is giivng up before his time. "If it is the end then it's a shame because he had so much more to give," he told BBC Sport. "As the Klitschkos showed, heavyweights blossom in their 30s. If it's the end then it's a career unfulfilled."

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