David Haye announces his retirement

Playing it safe: David Haye did not want to fight beyond his prime
13 April 2012

Former world heavyweight champion David Haye confirmed today that he has retired, ending speculation he would postpone the decision to box Vitali Klitschko.

On Tuesday, the British Boxing Board of Control announced Haye had told them he did not want to renew his licence but hours later Klitschko's promoter Bernd Boente said the two fighters were in talks over a possible bout next year.

Haye has now stuck to his long‑held promise of quitting on his 31st birthday despite ending his career on a low note, losing his WBA title to Wladimir Klitschko in July.

He said: "If you look back over all my interviews I have always said that I am not going to fight after I'm 31 and that is today. You have to call it a day sooner or later and that time has come. I love boxing but I never wanted to be one of those boxers who went on too long and got hurt."

Haye, who won 25 of his 27 fights, will now concentrate on his work as a promoter.

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