David Haye Retires After Not Landing a Comeback Fight with Vitali Klitschko

David Haye has handed in his boxing license and left the world of boxing behind just a few days before his 31st birthday on October 13, according to British publication, The Telegraph.

Haye (25-2, 23 KOs) is the only British fighter and one of only two men ever (the other one being legendary American Evander Holyfield) to win world championships at the cruiserweight (200 lbs) and heavyweight divisions.

Haye most recently lost his world heavyweight title to multi-titlist Wladimir Klitschko (56-3, 49 KOs) this past July.

After losing his heavyweight title, Haye announced his intention to go forward with his highly publicized plan to retire before his 31st birthday unless he was offered a match from Wladimir's heavyweight brother, Vitali Klitschko (43-2, 40 KOs).

British Boxing Board secretary Robert Smith said the following about Haye's retirement:

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I received an email on Monday advising me Haye would not be carrying on. The board will discuss it on Wednesday, but there is no way we could go against his wish not to renew his boxing license. Without it, he can't fight.

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Haye's biggest accomplishments in his short, but decorated career will likely be his unification of the cruiserweight titles through exciting knockouts of former world titlist Enzo Maccarinelli (32-5, 25 KOs) and Jean-Marc Mormeck (36-4, 22 KOs), and his besting of the 7' giant Nikolai Valuev (50-2, 34 KOs) for his first and only heavyweight world championship.