Haye hangs up gloves after Bellew loss

DAVID HAYE admitted he’s not good enough as he announced his retirement from boxing.

The 37-year-old former WBA heavyweight champion insisted he would stop fighting if he again lost to Tony Bellew in last month’s rematch.

And having shown significant signs of decline before being stopped in five rounds he confirmed he no longer plans to fight.

Haye first announced his retirement in October 2011 on his 31st birthday, before a lucrative grudge match with Dereck Chisora tempted him back.

He was also advised to retire following surgery on his right shoulder in 2013 but returned in 2016 for two unremarkable wins before falling to two defeats against Bellew.

He said: “Thanks to boxing I have been able to live my unencumbered childhood dream.

“In the end what 20,000 fans inside the O2 Arena witnessed was me giving 100 per cent effort but performing way below world level.

“I saw punches coming but wasn’t quick enough to avoid them. The things I used to be able to do – instinctively – now exist only in my mind and in clips.”