By Rick Reeno
Since his twelve round decision loss to Wladimir Klitschko in July, former two division champion David Haye (25-2, 23KOs) has been keeping a low profile. Even prior to the Klitschko loss, Haye promised to announce his retirement from boxing in the month of October.
During their last conversation, Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer advised the British superstar, who turns 31 on October 18, to continue his career.
“Our recommendation was for him to take a couple of fights in the U.S., maybe fight someone like a Chris Arreola. [Arreola] would be a great fight for Staples Center [in Los Angeles] and I think it would do very well. Maybe do an Arreola fight. I think after one fight he could be back. Maybe after one or two fights, he can go against the brother [Vitali Klitschko],” Schaefer told BoxingScene.com.
“I think just because you have one bad day at the office, you don't just walk away. You have to reassess and then come back bigger and stronger. At the end of the day it’s his decision. If he still wants it, I still think David has a great future.”
Vitali, who faces Tomasz Adamek on Saturday night in Poland, has expressed his willingness to fight Haye in several recent interviews. Schaefer, and the matchmakers at Golden Boy, believe the style of Vitali is an easier obstacle, in comparison to Wladimir, for Haye to overcome.
“I told him that our matchmakers like the Vitali fight and we think it would be much better [for him] than the Wladimir fight, because Vitali is much more robotic. David is very athletic and Wladimir is very athletic, and we felt that David would have substantial advantages against Vitali because of his athleticism,” Schaefer said.