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Haye told to try and make it in America

Richard Schaefer believes David Haye was wrong to blame his broken toe for his defeat © Getty Images

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Former WBA heavyweight champion David Haye has been told to come to America to rebuild his faltering boxing career.

Richard Schaefer, chief executive of Haye's US promoters Golden Boy, believes the 30-year-old Englishman needs to try something different if he is to rebuild both his reputation and his chances of reclaiming a world title after his recent defeat to Wladimir Klitschko in Hamburg.

While Schaefer believes Haye was hampered by Klitschko's unadventurous style, he acknowledged that the man from Bermondsey - who afterwards appeared to use a broken toe as an excuse - failed to cover himself in glory during 12 difficult rounds against the Ukrainian.

However, he does not believe Haye should now retire.

"Toe or not, that was not the David Haye we know. He didn't really try to win the fight, press the action, nor did he seem willing to take any risks," Schaefer said, according to the Telegraph.

"Should he retire? I think he should have a couple of fights in the US against the likes of [American] Cris Arreola and then give it another go.

"I don't think we should write David Haye off. It takes two to perform. Wladimir Klitschko was not exciting either. He is as guilty as David was of not coming to fight."

Schaefer believes Haye's charisma is still a significant selling point, even if another contest with either Klitschko will require him to beat a couple of lesser opponents first.

"It is too soon for a rematch with Wladimir Klitschko or even with his brother Vitali," he said. "A couple more fights and public interest will be there. Haye is still the most colourful fighter in the heavyweight division."

Schaefer believes Haye has been poorly advised in the aftermath of his defeat - pinpointing the decision to show off his broken toe so readily as a huge public relations mistake.

"He has been attacked and pilloried for showing his toe and should have been advised not to show it," he said. "Just after a fight when you have prepared for three months and lost, you are full of emotion.

"To make any rational decision straight after a fight is a mistake. I would have advised David just to say 'It wasn't my night, I'm going to go home and think about my future'. That way it's end of story."

Schaefer also revealed that he, along with Golden Boy owner Oscar de la Hoya, always believed Vitali was actually a more beatable opponent for Haye than Wladimir.

"We all thought at Golden Boy Promotions, and we told [trainer] Adam Booth this, that Vitali would be the better opponent for David," he revealed. "Wladimir is much more athletic while Vitali is very robotic.

"We believed that David's movement would be the key to beating a mechanical Vitali. We always thought it was a better fight for him."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.