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Haye pencils in July return

David Haye appears set to return to the ring in July © PA Photos

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David Haye is scheduled to return to the ring on July 6 this year, as he bids to earn himself another world title shot.

Haye, the former WBA world champion, met with the British Boxing Board of Control recently in order to have his boxing licence restored and, according to the Daily Mail, will return to action against a ranked opponent in the summer as he looks to fight for a world title once again.

With WBC champion Vitali Klitschko unwilling to offer Haye a meeting after the Englishman rejected an offer from the Ukrainian's camp last year, and his brother Wladimir seeing little need for a rematch after beating the former cruiserweight so thoroughly in 2011, Haye will have to earn his shot by taking on fellow contenders in the ring.

The 33-year-old has not fought since July last year, when he beat Dereck Chisora in a controversial meeting that was sanctioned by the Luxembourg Boxing Board - after both fighters were stripped of their British licences for getting involved in an ugly brawl in the aftermath of Chisora's defeat to Vitali Klitschko earlier in the year.

Chisora saw his licence restored last week ahead of an April return and, after apologising for some of his conduct, Haye now appears set to follow suit.

"David met with our stewards and showed he understands that some of the things that happened were not good for boxing and not good for him," British Board general secretary Robert Smith said.

Haye may need to wait at least a year - winning two or three fights in that time - before getting his world title shots, with many other boxers, including the likes of Tyson Fury and David Price, also bidding to get their chance at the big-time.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.