David Haye Aims to Retire After 2011, Still Targeting Both Klitschkos

After Audley Harrison, David Haye sees only two more bouts against the Klitschko brothers before he’ll hang up the gloves.

The WBA heavyweight champion will face former friend Audley Harrison on November 13 in what many see as a huge mismatch in Haye’s favor. If successful, Haye plans to defeat both Klitschkos in 2011 to cap off his career. Over the last year and a half, Haye has publicly sparred with the Klitschkos over who is the blame for their fights falling through at the negotiation table.

“I’m now getting close to achieving all my goals as a professional, and the final goal I have left to reach is unification of the world heavyweight titles,” Haye told The Telegraph. “I’ve already unified the world cruiserweight belts and now I’m hellbent on doing the same as a heavyweight. Once all that’s tied up, what left is there to achieve?”

Haye, who turns 30 next weekend, cites the careers of Roy Jones and Lennox Lewis as the basis for his decision. Jones was atop the boxing world and pound for pound lists after he defeated John Ruiz for a portion of heavyweight crown in 2003. Haye argues that Jones should have retired, but damaged his legacy but carrying on too long and suffering embarrassing defeats as his skills diminished.

“Roy Jones, Jr. should retired after beating John Ruiz in 2003 to win a world heavyweight title. He had won world titles in four divisions, was the pound-for-pound best fighter in the sport and had nothing left to prove,” Haye detailed. “Instead, pride got the better of him, he moved back down the divisions and ended up getting horribly knocked out multiple times. He’s still scrapping around today, trying to grab on to past glories. There are loads of other examples, too.”

On the other hand, former heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis retired with the title and the distinction of having defeated every man he’s faced in the ring. While tempted to meet Vitali Klitschko in a rematch, Lewis realized at age 38 he longer had the physical ability to compete at the sport’s highest level, and left millions of dollars on the table. It’s something other former champions like Larry Holmes, Muhmmad Ali, and Joe Louis failed to do late in their careers.

“My main inspiration is Lennox , as he was a guy that just about managed to get out in time, with a title to his name and his faculties still together,” Haye lauded. “He retired on top, as world heavyweight champion, and with nothing left to prove.”

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I had high hopes (still do) when David Haye first moved to heavyweight. I felt he had the cocky, brash attitude and boxer-puncher style that would breathe life into the heavyweight division. Unfortunately, injuries and the contract issues with the Klitschkos have really stifled his momentum. And of course this latest bout with Audley Harrison isn’t going to do him any favors.

There is still time to make amends. Should he face and beat both Klitschkos in 2011, all will be forgiven. But if that happened, could he stick to his word? He’ll be showered with praise and viewed as the savior of the heavyweight division. Could Haye, who loves the spotlight, simply walk away from all that?

He isn’t the first fighter to impose that “retire at 30 years old” deadline, either. Oscar De La Hoya said the same thing throughout his 20s, only to hang around half a decade longer until he was 35.

This may be a moot discussion because defeating one Klitschko, let alone two, is a daunting task that no fighter has ever done. But I can’t wait to see David Haye try…