David Haye takes down boxing ring as bidding reaches £50,000 after former heavyweight world champion closes gym

  • David Haye is closing his gym in south London after six years
  • The former heavyweight world champion is selling his boxing ring
  • It is listed on eBay and is set to fetch more than £50,000
  • Haye has not fought since he knocked out Dereck Chisora in 2012  

David Haye signalled the end of an era as he dismantled the ring in his south London gym as he prepares to close its doors for the final time.

The former cruiserweight and heavyweight world champion announced earlier this month that he was shutting up shop after six years.

The ring from the gym, which is situated under the railway arches in Vauxhall, is set to sell for more than £50,000 after being listed on eBay.

David Haye takes a seat inside his ring as he prepares to begin dismantling it as his gym closes

David Haye takes a seat inside his ring as he prepares to begin dismantling it as his gym closes

Haye has used the gym under the railway arches in Vauxhall, south London for six years

Haye has used the gym under the railway arches in Vauxhall, south London for six years

The ring without its canvas as Haye prepares to take out the wooden slats 

The ring without its canvas as Haye prepares to take out the wooden slats 

In a message posted on Facebook, Haye said: 'I've just deconstructed the Hayemaker ring; it's a pitiful sight.

'So much has happened in it. [Training for] Valuev, Klitschko, Harrison, Ruiz, Chisora; all the blood, sweat and tears from my heavyweight career.'

Haye has not fought since he knocked out Dereck Chisora at Upton Park in the summer of 2012 but has repeatedly insisted he has not retired.

Injury twice ruled him out of a domestic dust-up with Tyson Fury and he required a five-hour operation on his right shoulder early last year.

But last month, Haye told Sportsmail: 'I've been out of the ring for three years now so I've left it long enough. It's about time I get back in there and start doing what I do best.  

The ring is down to its bare bones and is currently being sold on auction website eBay

The ring is down to its bare bones and is currently being sold on auction website eBay

The ring in all its dismantled glory as the Hayemaker gym looks empty without its equipment 

The ring in all its dismantled glory as the Hayemaker gym looks empty without its equipment 

The gym was previously full of training equipment and memorabilia from Haye's boxing career

The gym was previously full of training equipment and memorabilia from Haye's boxing career

'Look back in history and many fighters have had long lay-offs. Muhammad Ali was out for three and a half years, Wladimir Klitschko was out for four years, George Foreman was out for 10 years – they all came back and regained the heavyweight title.

'Three years for me is not so much. I'm 34 years old, 35 soon but I haven't got that much mileage and I haven't taken many concussive blows.

'In terms of boxing freshness I still feel like I've got a lot left to give.'

Haye unified the cruiserweight titles by beating Jean Marc Mormeck in 2007 before moving up a division.

He became a two-weight world champion when he outpointed giant Russian Nikolay Valuev but eventually lost his belt to Wladimir Klitschko.

Haye retired in 2011 but returned to face Chisora the following year but all signs point to him announcing the end of his decorated career once again. 

Haye's ring, which is 20ft by 20ft, is set to sell for more than £50,000 at the weekend

Haye's ring, which is 20ft by 20ft, is set to sell for more than £50,000 at the weekend

Haye outside his gym beneath the railway arches which will now be closed 

Haye outside his gym beneath the railway arches which will now be closed 

Haye's gym when he was competing as a heavyweight boxer; he has not fought since the summer of 2012

Haye's gym when he was competing as a heavyweight boxer; he has not fought since the summer of 2012

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