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Booth finally credits 'Premier League' Klitschko

David Haye was out-fought and out-thought by Wladimir Klitschko © PA Photos

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David Haye's trainer Adam Booth has paid tribute to Wladimir Klitschko's performance in beating the Englishman at the weekend - saying the Ukrainian was 'at his absolute best'.

Former WBA heavyweight champion Haye and his trainer had both come under fire in the immediate aftermath of a one-sided points defeat in Hamburg on Saturday, with Haye rushing to blame a broken toe for his poor performance and Booth accusing the Klitschko camp of underhand tactics before and during the bout.

But both men have been more gracious in recent days, with Haye finally crediting Klitschko for an accomplished heavyweight performance. Booth has now followed suit.

"Wladimir boxed out of his skin," Booth told Sky Sports News. "He couldn't have fought any better, he couldn't have punched any harder. David met Wlad at his absolute best and that was simply too much for him."

While much of the pre-fight talk had been about how Haye and Booth would need to counter KIitschko's powerful jab, the 30-year-old never managed to find a way to negate the power in his opponent's left paw.

Booth denied post-fight suggestions that Klitschko's speed had caught both men by surprise, instead praising the 35-year-old for changing his style to catch Haye out.

"We knew how quick he was, but it was how quick he moved backwards and then came forwards and was assertive - which was kind of against his nature up until this point," Booth said. "Wlad is a totally different fighter to Nikolai Valuev [who Haye beat to claim the WBA title in 2009] ... that's like a Premier League footballer compared to a Sunday league footballer."

While Haye has made positive noises about continuing to fight beyond his planned retirement date of October 13 - especially if a rematch with Klitschko is forthcoming - Booth has been conspicuous in his silence about the future for the pair.

The trainer said he would now focus more of his time on British and Commonwealth super-middleweight champion George Groves, and seemed to hint that he doesn't expect Haye to continue in the ring.

"The plan has always been for David to retire in October. I haven't mentioned a rematch," he said, evading questions about the future of the two as a partnership. "All I know is me and David are meeting later for a drink to drown our sorrows."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.