PHONETOOL

By Paul Magno

Has David Haye, the brash, trash-talking former heavyweight titlist decided to call it a career just days before his 31st birthday?

According to various sources, both inside and outside of his native United Kingdom, the answer seems to be "yes."

Haye, who was set to renew his license to box with the British Boxing Board of Control, apparently informed the licensing organization that their approval would no longer be needed.

"According to the email I received," Board secretary, Robert Smith told the BBC, "he is no longer wishing to renew his license."

The decision comes just as the buzz about an apparent high-profile bout with Vitali Klitschko was beginning to grow and just months after the fighter's biggest and most embarrassing bout— a passive, one-sided decision loss to Vitali's younger brother, Wladimir Klitschko in July.

If the stories are true and Haye is, indeed, deciding to hang up the gloves at the tender age of 30, one can't help but look back at the talented London native's career with both respect and second hand regret.

Haye, who earned his stripes early on with a solid amateur career, turned pro in 2002 and, within eight fights of his debut, captured the British cruiserweight title. After a stint as European champ, Haye would capture his first world titles in 2007, coming off the canvas to stop France's Jean Marc Mormeck in seven for the WBA/WBC cruiserweight belts.

After annexing Enzo Maccarinelli's WBO title in his very next bout, Haye would announce his move up to heavyweight and his ultimate goal to end the dominant reign of WBO/IBF world champ, Wladimir Klitschko as well as that of elder Klitschko Brother, and WBC titlist, Vitali.

What ensued over the next three years or so could only be described as a mix of Muhammad Ali bravado and borderline stalking as Haye continuously antagonized and confronted Wladimir Klitschko, demanding a bout and calling into question the belt holder's courage and right to even call himself champion. The former cruiserweight titlist would even anger the Eastern Block giant by appearing in a self-commissioned t-shirt depicting him glorious in victory over the decapitated remains of both Klitschko brothers.

Along the way, the big-mouth Brit would have a decent run as a heavyweight— stopping journeyman Monte Barrett before winning the WBA strap against seven-foot-tall Nikolai Valuev and defending it twice with dominant victories over former champ, John Ruiz and the UK's Olympic Gold Medalist, Audley Harrison.

During this run, Haye would come close to signing the long-awaited Klitschko bout on two separate occasions— with the deal falling apart both times, depending on who you ask, due to either financial issues or health-related problems.

Eventually, though, the mega-fight was signed and the biggest heavyweight bout of the new millennium was finally set to take place.

However, anticipation quickly turned to frustration once the bell actually rang as Haye fought tentatively against the hulking Klitschko and, after three years of barking ego-driven insults and issuing defiant claims of superiority, passively handed over his WBA belt in a safety-first performance.

Despite taking home a career-high pay day, Haye had gone from being a possible heavyweight savior to a walking punchline over the course of just twelve less-than-thrilling rounds. The embarrassment was made worse when Haye, during his post-fight interview, told the world that the cause of his poor performance was an injury sustained to his pinky toe weeks prior to the contest.

In the days and weeks following the Klitschko bout, Haye kept a shockingly low profile, only recently emerging to acknowledge a potential shot at redemption against Wladimir's older brother, Vitali, in the first half of 2012.

Now, it looks as though Haye has reconsidered and would rather sit on his last eight-figure payday and retire while in full possession of his faculties and before his legacy can take any further hits.

Looking back on an exciting nine year career, Haye gave the sport its fair share of exciting, entertaining performances. He will be regarded as one of the most accomplished cruiserweight champions of his generation and a fairly solid WBA heavyweight titlist. He'll also be remembered as one of the sport's most entertaining figures and interesting interview subjects.

But, most of all, the legacy of David Haye will be filled with question marks and "what if" statements.

Haye, with his charisma and natural talent, could've been the dominant, high-profile ambassador that the sport needed. He could've been the biggest fighter since Tyson and a real crossover star with unlimited earning potential.

However, the brash Brit never pushed himself to get beyond the level of high-profile regional star. He was content with being the big fish in a small pond and, in doing so, left a run at legendary status on the table.

In the tough world of professional prize fighting, Haye took the easiest way out. And, while nobody can condemn a fighter for wanting to end things on his own terms, it's still hard not to consider what could've been.

Paul Magno was a licensed official in the state of Michoacan, Mexico and a close follower of the sport for more than thirty years. His work can also be found on Fox Sports and The Boxing Tribune. In the past, Paul has done work for Inside Fights, The Queensberry Rules and Eastside Boxing.

Sources:

BBC, David Haye set to announce retirement from boxing, BBC

Boxrec, Boxrec Stats and Info, Boxrec

The Boxing Tribune, The Boxing Tribune Editorials and Fight Reports, The Boxing Tribune