David Haye "I never expected to go down as an all-time great heavyweight champion"
Unlike his failed pre-fight promises to destroy Wladimir Klitschko, David Haye was true to his word in retiring on his 31st birthday.
As the former cruiserweight and heavyweight world champion prepared to talk with the awaiting media, an official statement was handed out containing his carefully planned route to the top.
An ambitious 22 year-old Haye and long time friend, trainer and manager Adam Booth sat in a central London Kentucky Fried Chicken where they laid out a three fold objective which any pugilist would be wise to follow. The intelligent double act planned to win as many genuine titles as possible, generate as much money as possible and financially secure his future and equally importantly get out of boxing in his prime and in perfect physical and mental health.
Much of the media talk and speculation focused on whether Haye was just attempting to lure Vitali Klitshko into making him an offer he couldn`t refuse but the South Londoner said he selected this day to hang up his gloves 21 years ago.
“Today's date is Thursday October 13 and I`ve just turned 31 years of age. As the clock struck 12 last night, my professional boxing career came to an end.
“The decision to end my career at this point was not a spur of the moment thing, nor was it something forced upon me. In fact it has been my intention to retire from the sport of boxing on this particular day ever since I first lace up a pair of gloves as a skinny 10 year-old at the Fitzroy Lodge Amateur Boxing Club in Lambeth.”
There is a long list of quality fighters from these shores who after retiring soon found health and money wanting but to his credit Haye was determined to buck the trend.
“Financial security is vital for any boxer, especially given the dangerous nature of the sport, and I am proud to say I maximised my earning potential throughout my time in boxing.
“I didn`t want my speech to become any more slurred than it was when I first entered the ring and was keen not to one day look like an extra from Michael Jackson`s Thriller video.
“Other than a few fractures (which healed perfectly within a couple of months), a faulty little toe, and some superficial cuts around my eyes,I believe the third and most important objective has been achieved.”
Throughout his career Haye displayed a brashness that drew attention in droves yet he admits he won`t go down as an all time great.
“I`ve never claimed to be the greatest and I`m not foolish or arrogant enough to think my place in history will be defined by what I achieved as a heavyweight.
“Even the dominant Klitschko brothers will have a tough time being viewed as heavyweight greats in this era as the talent pool simply hasn`t been deep enough since Lennox Lewis hung up his gloves in 2003.
“I never expected to go down as an all time great heavyweight champion, but the move to the top division was one inspired by a need to challenge and test myself having conquered the cruiserweights. Despite being undersized, I`d always dreamed of one day ruling the same division as my heroes Muhammad Ali and Lennox Lewis both dominated.”
Haye now hopes to build successful new career as an actor. You sense the red carpet is waiting for him but before he has even had a chance to think about making an epic Vitali and Wladimir may offer him a role with them in the ring.
