David Haye bows to the inevitable after injuries and Bellew loss take toll | Kevin Mitchell

Jun 12, 2018

David Haye’s retirement looks final this time as he revealed the full extent of his physical struggles in recent years but in his heyday he lit up British boxing like few others

Nearly eight years after he vowed to retire on his 31st birthday, David Haye was adamant on Tuesday that he is walking away from boxing for good. Revealing for the first time details of long and painful back surgery that curtailed the latter part of his career, he said: “I have given my heart and soul to boxing for 27 years.”

And no sooner had the transatlantic shouting match between Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder descended into another strident and pointless exchange than Haye stole everyone’s thunder – although it was hardly a surprise, given the way Tony Bellew battered him to defeat in the fifth round of their rematch at the O₂ Arena in London last month. It was a brave, doomed farewell for the former world cruiserweight and heavyweight champion who, at his best, was among the most exciting fighters in the world.

Tags: Boxing David Haye Sport