• Heavyweight

Haye boost as Vitali denies retirement rumours

ESPN staff
October 29, 2011
Vitali Klitschko has only lost two of his 45 fights © Getty Images
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David Haye's dealings with the Klitschko brothers may not be over after Vitali denied reports he is planning to hang up his gloves.

Haye's acrimonious relationship with the Ukrainian siblings is well known and the Brit bowed out of the sport earlier this month at the age of 31, heading into retirement on the back of a heavy points defeat suffered at the hands of Wladimir - the younger of the two brothers.

'The Hayemaker' says he is willing to make a U-turn should a fight with Vitali or Wladimir be in the offing. However, with Wladimir unlikely to hand Haye a rematch, Vitali looked to be the only viable option - that was until reports broke that the 40-year-old is planning to retire after "one more fight, maybe two at most".

However, the WBC heavyweight champion says he is "surprised" by the rumours, which were originally circulated by Ukrainian television station TVi. The report indicated the veteran was planning to call it a day and focus on a career in politics - rumours which Vitali insists are not valid.

"I'm totally surprised [with the reports of his 2012 retirement]. I can say that next year I plan to have at least two fights," he told Boxingscene.com. "I feel as fit as ever and I promise to present my fans with some real highlights."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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