Klitschko talks delay Haye retirement
FORMER heavyweight champion David Haye could postpone his anticipated retirement for one last fight against WBC title holder Vitali Klitschko, according to the Ukrainian’s promoter.
Londoner Haye, who lost to Klitschko’s brother Wladimir in July, looked set to hang up his gloves after telling governing body the BBBC he did not want to renew his licence. That would have seen him fulfil a promise to retire before his 31st birthday, which falls tomorrow.
But Bernd Boente, the Klitschkos’ promoter, insisted yesterday that, while a rematch with Wladimir is out of the question, there was a “100 per cent” chance of a fight with his sibling early next year “if the business case is realistic for both fighters”. Boente added: “David Haye’s manager Adam Booth always told me that he will officially retire on Thursday, but that he would definitely come back if there is a fight against Vitali or a rematch against Wladimir. So this option is still there.
“We are still waiting for some numbers from British TV and then we’ll see if the business case is realistic and then we will do the fight or Vitali will fight another opponent in February or March next year.”
Haye, who has lost just twice in 27 fights, had asked Wladimir for a rematch after his comprehensive points defeat in Hamburg.
But Boente said: “A re-match with Wladimir makes no sense because there are no questions after the first fight and you can only promote a fight if there is a certain thrill.
“Against Vitali it’s different. Vitali has a totally different style. Vitali said after the [July] fight he wants to finish what his brother didn’t do, meaning knock out David Haye.”
Haye is thought to be considering an acting career when he calls time on life in the ring.
FACTFILE | DAVID HAYE
1980 Born in Bermondsey on 13 October
2001 Loses final of World Amateur Championships but wins first pro fight the following year
2004 Suffers first loss, to Carl Thompson
2005 Wins EBU cruiserweight title, beating Alexander Gurov
2007 Adds WBC belt, defeating Jean-Marc Mormeck
2008 Takes Enzo Maccarinelli’s WBO title and announces step up in weight
2009 Beats Nikolay Valuev on points to claim WBA heavyweight title
2010 Defends title against John Ruiz and Audley Harrison
2011 Loses to Wladimir Klitschko