Boxing: David Haye may retire

 

Duncan Bech
Monday 16 July 2012 16:36 BST
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David Haye will be satisfied with his career even if a showdown with Vitali Klitschko fails to materialise.

Haye has set his sights on a clash with the WBC world heavyweight champion after disposing of Dereck Chisora in five rounds at Upton Park on Saturday night.

It is the only meaningful fight left for Haye, who slumped to a wide points defeat to the Ukrainian's younger brother Wladimir a year ago.

Should Vitali decide Manuel Charr in Moscow on September 8 is his final visit to the ring, Haye will retire for a second time.

"If a fight with Vitali happens down the line, fantastic," Haye told BBC Sport.

"If it doesn't then I've been undisputed cruiserweight champion of the world and a heavyweight champion of the world.

"I've achieved more than I anticipated I would do as a youngster.

"I'm happy with what I've done in the ring and it's nice to finish on such a high.

"When I retired after losing to Wladimir a year ago, it left a bitter taste in my mouth.

"But this time round after fighting in London in front of 30,000 of my fans, it really did put a smile on my face.

"If that's my last fight, it's one I'm very proud and happy of."

Vitali's manager Bernd Boente declared yesterday that the 40-year-old is unlikely to face Haye because he hopes to launch his political career in Ukraine in October.

However, Boente refused to dismiss the possibility entirely, stating Vitali may want a farewell fight.

Frank Warren stated at Upton Park on Saturday that a super-fight between Haye and Vitali would have to be staged at Wembley such would be the interest.

And the promoter believes Haye would triumph - if he carried the fight to the older Klitschko.

"It will happen, 100%, unless Vitali retires. If Dereck had won he'd have fought Wladimir, if David won he was going to fight Vitali," Warren said.

"Now David against Vitali is a natural fight. I was impressed with David against Chisora and he's made me change my opinion of him.

"David fights a lot off his back foot and if you do that against big guys, it suits their gameplan.

"But if you jump on them and get under that jab, the one thing they can't do is fight on the inside and deal with a high workrate.

"Vitali's an old guy now, he's 40 years of age, and Dereck's shown how he can be beaten."

PA

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