British heavyweight David Haye has revealed he will delay his retirement plans by six months if he is given a re-match against Wladimir Klitschko or the chance to fight his brother Vitali Klitschko.
Haye had planned to retire before his 31st birthday in October, but having lost his WBA title to Wladimir on a unanimous decision in Hamburg in July, the British fighter will delay hanging up his gloves if he can face either sibling.
Vitali defends his WBC title against Tomasz Adamek in Poland on Saturday, while Wladimir, the IBF, WBA, IBO and WBO champion, has said he expects to fight again in December, but no opponent has been confirmed yet.
“If I am given a rematch against Wladimir – which I do not believe I will – or Vitali will fight me, I will postpone my retirement for six months,” Haye told German daily Bild.
Haye said his decision to delay his plans was influenced by family and advice from Britain’s former heavyweight world champion Lennox Lewis, who earned a sixth-round technical knock-out against Vitali Klistchko eight years ago.
“I’ve reconsidered everything after talking to my family and meeting with Lennox Lewis in Montego Bay, Jamaica,” said Haye.
“We chilled out there and Lennox gave me some tips on how to beat Vitali, just like he did in 2003.”
Haye said he will be watching Vitali fight Adamek on television and is hoping the 40-year-old champion keeps his title.
“I will keep my fingers crossed Klitschko wins, something I wouldn’t normally do to save my life,” said Haye.
“I want him to clean up this Polish plum Adamek and retain his title, so that he will fight me.
“Wladimir couldn’t put me down and he had the referee, judges and fans on his side. I had no real chance.
“Vitali should give me the chance, if he dares.
“He is supposed to have a dangerous punch, which I doubt.”
Haye resorted to trash-talking Wladimir in the build up to July’s unification bout and Vitali has said he wants to fight the brash Brit to knock him out.
Having also blamed his defeat to Wladimir on a broken toe, Haye said he is is ready to fight again.
“Yeah, man – my broken toe is okay again,” said Haye.
“Vitali is 40 and will stop at some point.
“For his finale, there is no better opponent than me.
“And I would send him into retirement, but without his championship belt.”
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