Former heavyweight champion Haye set to retire

Former World heavyweight champion David Haye is poised to retire from the sport after the British Boxing Board of Control said on Tuesday the Briton was not renewing his licence.

Haye, who has long maintained he would not fight beyond his 31st birthday, which falls on Thursday, lost his WBA world title on points to Vladimir Klitschko in a unification bout in his last fight in July.

"I can confirm that Mr. Haye is not renewing his professional boxer's licence," Board general secretary Robert Smith said.

Haye, whose trash-talking before the July fight angered Klitschko, blamed the defeat on a broken toe and had suggested he would be prepared to postpone retirement if the Ukrainian agreed to a swift rematch.

That defeat was Haye's first in seven years and left his record at 25-2. Before joining the heavyweight division, Haye was the unified cruiserweight champion.

Haye's representatives were not immediately available for comment but local media reported the Briton was planning a news conference for Thursday.

Vladimir and his brother Vitali together own all the major championship belts in the division. The brothers have said they would not fight each other.