Former world champion David Haye retires from boxing

Haye, who turned 31 on Thursday, always said he would not fight on past the age of 30.

"It has been my intention to retire from boxing on this day ever since I first laced up my gloves as a skinny 10-year-old," Haye said in a statement.

Haye's last fight was against Wladimir Klitschko on 2 July, when he lost his WBA title in Hamburg.

And he says he already has plans for life outside the ring.

"I want to go into acting," Haye told Sky News. "That will be my next calling. There are some things in the pipeline. I want to have the same success in my acting career as I did in my boxing career.

"I have been offered a few things but nothing concrete. I am sure I can act well."

There had been speculation Haye could fight Wladimir's older brother Vitali in 2012, despite reports earlier this week that the Londoner did not want to renew his boxing licence, which runs out in December.

On Tuesday, Vitali's promoter Bernd Boente told BBC Radio 5 live that he has been in talks with Haye's trainer, Adam Booth, about a possible bout next year.

But Haye denied that the announcement he is quitting the sport was a tactic in negotiations to try to secure that fight.

"If this was something I'd just come up with last week I could understand people saying that," Haye explained. "But I've been saying since I was an amateur that I would retire on my 31st birthday, so this is the day.

"I love boxing, I love training, but you've got to call it a day sooner or later. Too many fighters over the years have gone on way too long. Now's a great time. I feel healthy, there's no damage, why not?

"Vitali Klitschko did show an interest in sharing a ring with me in 2012. But since that initial declaration we have heard the wrong noises from Team Klitschko, which has left me thinking there is little chance of the fight ever coming to fruition."

When asked whether he would consider another big-money fight, Haye added: "I doubt it."

Despite finishing his career with a poor performance, his trainer Booth said it was up to the public to decide where he ranked among heavyweights.

"People will remember David as how they choose too. I have fond memories of the ups and downs," he told Sky Sports News.



Credit: CNN sports