• Heavyweight

Haye hands back Luxembourg licence

David Haye beat Dereck Chisora during July in a bout sanctioned by the Luxembourg Boxing Federation © PA Photos

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David Haye has ended his association with the Luxembourg Boxing Federation by handing the organisation its licence back.

Haye fought Dereck Chisora in July under the jurisdiction of the Luxembourg board, as both men were without a British licence. Haye handed his in when he 'retired' in 2011, while Chisora was stripped of his because of his antics before and after a bout with Vitali Klitschko earlier this year.

"I'd like to thank the Luxembourg Boxing Federation for licensing me ahead of my July bout with Dereck Chisora in London, but I no longer require that licence," Haye said.

"It's been well-publicised already, but the reason I applied for a licence from the Luxembourg Boxing Federation was because my opponent, Dereck Chisora, had seen his British licence withdrawn. The only way we were able to deliver the fight the public wanted, when they wanted it, was to both apply for foreign licences, as arranged by Chisora's promoter.

"In an ideal world, though, I'd now like to box on with a British licence. I'm a British boxer, I have never had any issues with the board and, should a fight with Vitali Klitschko happen, I'd be keen to have the British Boxing Board of Control in my corner, simply because they are so experienced and are the best at what they do."

Meanwhile, Haye has told Klitschko he will be making a serious mistake if he retires following his most recent fight, a dominant victory over Manuel Charr earlier this month. Klitschko is weighing up his boxing future amid rumours he could quit to concentrate on full-time politics.

"If I was Vitali Klitschko, I wouldn't want to go out on a win like that," Haye said. "Even in a predictably one-sided affair he didn't look impressive and the the finish was anti-climactic to say the least. The win itself also means very little, as Manuel Charr proved to be nothing more than an unworthy challenger in a half-empty arena.

"My aim is to get Vitali in a ring next year, after his election campaign has failed, and bring his WBC world title back to Britain. This is the only fight that interests me at heavyweight, and the WBC heavyweight title is the one belt I'm desperate to win before I retire for good."

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