Heavyweight contender David 'The Hayemaker' Haye today confirmed he has handed back his Luxembourg boxing license, but will still try to force a fight with WBC world heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko in 2013.
“I'd like to thank the Luxembourg Boxing Federation for licensing me ahead of my July bout with Dereck Chisora in London, but I no longer require that license,” said Haye, the former WBA world heavyweight champion.
“It's been well-publicised already, but the reason I applied for a license from the Luxembourg Boxing Federation was because my opponent, Dereck Chisora, had seen his British license withdrawn. The only way we were able to deliver the fight the public wanted, when they wanted it, was to both apply for foreign licenses, as arranged by Chisora's promoter.
“In an ideal world, though, I'd now like to box on with a British license. I'm a British boxer, I have never had any issues with the board and, should a fight with Vitali Klitschko happen, I'd be keen to have the British Boxing Board of Control in my corner, simply because they are so experienced and are the best at what they do.”
Haye watched Vitali Klitschko defeat challenger Manuel Charr earlier this month and remains confident of getting his shot, despite the champion's hints of impending retirement and a move into politics.
“If I was Vitali Klitschko, I wouldn't want to go out on a win like that,” said Haye. “Even in a predictably one-sided affair he didn't look impressive and the the finish was anticlimactic to say the least. The win itself also means very little, as Manuel Charr proved to be nothing more than an unworthy challenger in a half-empty arena.
“My aim is to get Vitali in a ring next year, after his election campaign has failed, and bring his WBC world title back to Britain. This is the only fight that interests me at heavyweight, and the WBC world heavyweight title is the one belt I'm desperate to win before I retire for good. I won the WBC world cruiserweight title in 2007, and have won many other world titles since, but lifting the green WBC belt at heavyweight would be an extremely proud moment for me.”
*** Haye will hold a meet and greet day for fans at his Vauxhall boxing gymnasium on Saturday, 22 September. Doors will open at midday and 'The Hayemaker' will be present to pose for pictures and sign memorabilia until queues have disappeared. Visit www.hayemaker.com or Haye's personal twitter account @mrdavidhaye for further details ***