Who is David Haye? Background, net worth, boxing record and statement as he announces retirement
Former two-weight world champion "The Hayemaker" has announced he is retiring from boxing
DAVID HAYE has announced his retirement from boxing with immediate effect.
The former crusierweight and heavyweight world champion released a statement on his website to confirm the news.
It comes just over a month after the Hayemaker lost to Tony Bellew for the second time in their rematch game in London.
His last win came in May 2016 when he beat Swiss boxer Arnold Gjergjaj on a technical knockout.
What is David Haye's background?
David Haye was born on October 13 1980 in Bermondsey, London, and went on to attend Bacon's College.
He was interested in boxing from an early age, but once he threw himself into the sport, he found it difficult to get fights as his power became well known.
Haye is one of three children, he has one brother and one sister.
What did his retirement statement say?
Haye announced on his official website that he was retiring.
Here is a small exert of the lengthy statement:
"Today (Tuesday, June 12, 2018) I announce my retirement from professional boxing. They say you can’t play boxing. Yet, as I write this retirement statement, and reflect on my time in the sport, I can’t find a better way to describe the ride."
Talking about the re-match fight with Bellew he said: "In the end, what 20,000 fans inside London’s O2 Arena witnessed was me giving 100% effort but performing way below world level.
"For my fans, it must have been like going to support their favourite thoroughbred racehorse at the Grand National, only to see their stallion stumble out the gates like a sedated mule at the Donkey Derby.
"I saw punches coming but wasn’t quick enough to avoid them. I created openings but lacked the speed and agility to capitalise on them. Quick, bread and butter counterattacks, the sort I’ve effortlessly thrown since my teenage years, are no longer in my armoury. And when I take shots, they now shake me to my boots.
"The things I used to be able to do in the ring – instinctively – now exist only in my mind and in video clips of my old fights.
"That said, credit where it’s due: even 10 years ago – in my ‘Haye Day’ – I’d have had a hard night fighting the 2018 version of Tony Bellew. He boxed brilliantly."
He ended the statement saying: "And just as boxing gave me the chance to make my dreams a reality, I now hope my children do the same in whatever path they choose. They know from their father’s story that anything is possible with hard work, dedication and extraordinary sacrifice.
"Since October 1990, I have been a boxer. That’s nearly 10,000 days of eating and sleeping boxing, and now I’m ready to close this chapter in my life.
"This is not the end of my story. It’s simply the start of something new.
Ain't no Stoppin' Us Now.
"David Haye
"The Hayemaker"
What is David Haye's amateur career like?
David Haye became known around the circuit as a heavy hitter, but his amateur career never really took off as much as you might expect.
He did end with a fight record of 83 wins and 13 defeats however.
Haye never won an Olympic medal - he was defeated in a qualifier for the Sydney Olympics in 2000.
He won a silver medal in the 2001 World Championships in Belfast.
What is David Haye's professional career like?
David Haye turned professional at the age of 22, and made a blistering start to his boxing career, racing to 10 straight wins before he came up against the experienced Carl Thompson.
But in a fight billed "youth vs experience", Haye came a cropper, and was stopped in the fifth round.
Haye went on to win his next 15 fights, including winning the WBC world cruiserweight belt, before suffering his second, and final defeat, when he lost on points to Wladimir Klitschko.
His fight record stands at 28 wins, 26 by way of knockout, with two defeats.
His biggest ever payday came when he lost to Wladimir Klitschko, where it is believed he earned £10million.
Did you know?
David Haye took part in the hit ITV show I'm A Celebrity... Get me Out Of Here! in November 2012.
He finished third in the competition, which was won by former Eastenders actress Charlie Brooks.
He is believed to have earned around £165,000 for his appearance in the jungle.