Former world champion Haye retires from boxing at 37

Former cruiserweight and heavyweight world champion David Haye has announced his retirement from boxing at the age of 37.

The London-born fighter (28-4) won three of the four major world titles to unify the division as a cruiserweight in 2008, before moving up to heavyweight and claiming the WBA belt against Nikolai Valuev in Germany.

Haye then lost a huge heavyweight unification fight with Wladimir Klitschko in 2011, seemingly accelerating his retirement plans.

But even in a three-and-a-half-year gap between facing Dereck Chisora and his next bout, Haye never confirmed that he was hanging up his gloves and continued to make plans for future fights.

His career has now reached its conclusion, however, after a pair of defeats to David Bellew that twice saw Haye beaten by way of a knock-out.

Posting a video on his website, alongside a lengthy statement, Haye explained his decision.

"I've had a fantastic run: 27 years in the sport, 16 years as a professional, 32 fights," he said. "But it's time to call it a day, time to throw in the towel, time to hang up the gloves and retire as a professional boxer.

"As of June 12, 2018, I am no longer a boxer, something I have been since the age of 10. It's a strange thought, but it's a thought I'm very comfortable with."

He added: "I'm happy, healthy and my family are financially secure. It was a job well done."

The written statement concluded: "This is not the end of my story. It's simply the start of something new."