• Heavyweight

Smiling Booth claims Haye-Vitali 'isn't happening'

David Haye struggled in his return to the gym on Saturday © PA Photos

Enlarge

Related Links

• News: Haye 'in Klitschko talks' - but yet to see contract
  
• News: Haye given three weeks to decide on Vitali fight
  
• News: Price, not Fury, would challenge Klitschkos - Haye
  
• News: Haye and Vitali to clash in March 2012
  
• Profile: David Haye | Vitali Klitschko

David Haye's manager Adam Booth has insisted that talk of the former world heavyweight champion's return to the ring is premature, but Booth's words came laced with a knowing smile that hinted he may know more than he is willing to reveal.

Haye retired when he turned 31 years of age, as he always planned to do, but reports of his comeback emerged on Sunday. The Brit always said he could be tempted back to the ring by one of the Klitschko brothers, and it is believed Vitali has entered the equation for a bout in spring 2012.

The ESPIRIT Arena in Dusseldorf is being touted as the venue should Haye choose to correct the last fight of his career, which was a loss to Wladimir Klitschko. A battle against the older brother, Vitali, is viewed as a more winnable bout for the Hayemaker, but Booth was not willing to add weight to the story.

"Yes I've had phone calls and communications but as far as I'm concerned at the moment, the fight isn't happening and David is retired," a smiling Booth told Sky Sports News.

"That's all I can say at the moment."

Asked if there are tempting offers on the table, Booth coyly replied: "It's not for me to say, it's for David to say - it makes no difference to me."

Booth did admit that Haye recently stepped back into the training ring for the first time, although things did not exactly go according to plan.

"He came down the gym yesterday to watch George [Groves] spar, and all of a sudden he produced a gumshield out of his bag and did a couple of rounds with George," Booth explained. "After wheezing his way through two rounds I think he realised just how far back he has to come for a title."

Groves spoke in more positive terms about his training partner though, revealing: "He still looks pretty fresh, relatively healthy and young, and if he wanted to come back I wouldn't be surprised, and I wouldn't be surprised if he shocked a lot of people as well."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.