David Haye is willing to forego his October retirement plans for the chance to repair his tattered image via a rematch with unified heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko.
Since becoming a heavyweight in 2008, Haye has continuously stated he would retire at age 31 after defeating the Klitschko brothers. After losing a lopsided decision to Wladimir and failing to deliver on his promise to make an exciting fight, Haye now feels he cannot end his career with such a disappointing performance.
“I definitely want to stick to my retirement plans, but when someone beats you, you feel gutted,” Haye explained. “I’m such a competitive person. I’m going to retire on October 13, but the only person I would break my retirement for is the guy who’s beaten me, Wladimir Klitschko… I don’t have a beef with his brother. It’s Wladimir, Wladimir beat me.”
Wladimir has only granted two rematches to opponents he’s previously beaten: Chris Byrd and Samuel Peter. Byrd lost a wide decision in 2000. In 2006, Byrd lost his IBF title to Wladimir via a seventh round TKO. Peter scored three knockdowns but lost a unanimous decision in 2005. Wladimir dominated their 2010 rematch, scoring a 10th round KO.
At press time, Wladimir Klitschko has not advised on whether he’s willing to grant Haye a rematch.
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Despite his abysmal performance last Saturday, the heavyweight division would benefit if Haye stuck around. Unfortunately, it’s obvious his heart is not in it. Guys like Samuel Peter built themselves back up to earning another title shot. You can even see Chris Arreola doing the same now. After the upset loss to Lamon Brewster, Wladimir Klitschko even had to string together a few wins against lesser talents from 2004-2005 before getting a title shot against Chris Byrd.
If the Hayemaker truly wants redemption, he’d be proclaiming his desire to go through the entire heavyweight division if need be to get another chance at Wladimir. He would do what Muhammad Ali did after losing the Fight of the Century to champion Joe Frazier in 1971. In the three years following that fight, Ali would fight nearly every fighter in the Top 10, going 13-1 and eliminating all serious opponents for Frazier and his successor George Foreman by 1974. Does David Haye have that same fire? Sadly, it seems the answer is a resounding no.
Beats, Boxing and Mayhem 