• Boxing

Retiring Vitali Klitschko hints at 2010 Haye fight

ESPN staff
February 18, 2010
David Haye won the WBA heavyweight title in November © Getty Images
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Heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko hinted at a 2010 fight with David Haye as he announced that he will retire from the sport this year.

The WBC title holder is currently locked in negotiations over a contest with Nikolai Valuev, who Haye beat to win the WBA belt in November.

The 29-year-old Londoner faces John Ruiz on April 3 in a mandatory defence, but his schedule is clear after that point and he has made clear his desire to fight one, or both, of the Klitschkos.

Wladimir Klitschko holds the IBF, WBO and IBO titles, but the brothers have vowed not to face off against each other, meaning only Haye's championship is available to Vitali.

"I only have to win one belt," the Ukrainian said. "So this year I will hang up my boxing gloves. And I'll stop visiting different cities to beat somebody's face in."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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