• Boxing

Haye could still beat a Klitschko - Khan

ESPN staff
October 12, 2011
David Haye can leave the sport with his head held high according to fellow Brit Amir Khan © PA Photos
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Amir Khan admits he does not blame David Haye for retiring, but he believes the Hayemaker still possesses the talent to beat one of the Klitschko brothers, should he be lured into one final fight.

The British Boxing Board of Control revealed on Tuesday that Haye does not wish to renew his fight licence, effectively sending the former world cruiserweight champion into retirement. However, there still remains the small possibility that Haye has not hung up his gloves for good, with Vitali Klitschko's manager Bernd Boente insisting "the opportunity is still there".

Khan, himself a world champion at light-welterweight, does not sign up to the belief that the Klitschko brothers - who currently rule the heavyweight terrain - are too good for Haye, even though the Brit was outclassed by Wladimir earlier this year. If a future fight with Vitali - as has been speculated - is on the table, Khan insists Haye still has the talent to defeat the Ukrainian.

"I'm sure there will be a few more twists and turns in this story of Haye vs Klitschko," Khan said in the Sun. "And there is no reason why Haye wouldn't emerge on top if there is ever a next time - whatever brother he fights."

Khan has always spoken honestly regarding Haye's career, claiming after the Klitschko loss that his compatriot has not always carried himself in an ideal fashion. However, judging Haye's achievements as a cruiserweight, Khan puts him in the same bracket as the legendary Evander Holyfield.

"He united the cruiserweight division with a win over Jean-Marc Mormeck, a boxer who was undefeated for years and looked invincible in his own Paris backyard until Haye proved otherwise," Khan said. "In fact his record in the cruisers has him vying with the likes of Evander Holyfield as the division's best-ever.

"His record as a heavyweight will come under a different kind of scrutiny - but who could deny Haye his moment of glory when beating Nikolai Valuev for the WBA title?

"In truth, Haye was never a real heavyweight but somehow managed to realise his dreams against all the odds. Not too many could carry it off but everyone would agree that David could and did."

Offering opinion on Haye's decision not to renew his licence, Khan explained: "David giving back his licence to the British Boxing Board of Control is not something he would have taken lightly. No one wants to go out on a loss. I know when I suffered my one and only defeat, it ignited a desire in me that is still driving me on to achieve my targets today.

"But I have a saying in boxing: 'I want to walk out the way I walked in'. I want to be able to walk away with my head held high and without any serious injuries. What people tend to forget is that you are only ever one fight away from being badly hurt, so why does David need to take that kind of a risk against the big punchers like the Klitschko brothers?

"I've read somewhere that David says he wants to get out with two things - his money and his marbles. Well, I am sure his career has been worthwhile to him financially and he has all his marbles as his wicked sense of humour tells you, so why does he need to fight on?

"Haye is walking out a winner in every sense of the word. He said a long time ago the age at which he wanted to retire and he's done it."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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