LONDON, (Reuters) – Britain’s former world  heavyweight champion David Haye retired from the sport on his  31st birthday yesterday, ruling out future bouts with  Ukraine’s Klitschko brothers.

“It has been my intention to retire from boxing on this day  ever since I first laced up my gloves as a skinny 10-year-old,”  Haye said in a statement.

“I’ve tried to be the best I can, fight the best possible  fighters on their turf but even though I fell short against  Vladimir I’m a two-weight champion, one of the best ever British  boxers,” he told Sky Sports in his London gym.

Haye lost his WBA world title on points to Vladimir  Klitschko in a unification bout in his last fight in July — a  defeat he blamed on fighting with a broken toe in Hamburg.

On Tuesday the British Boxing Board of Control said the  Briton was not renewing his licence.

“I know fighters who have gone on way too long. I’ve never  wanted to be that guy.”

Haye also ruled out a rematch with Vladimir or a fight with  his elder brother Vitali, the WBC world heavyweight champion.

The Klitschkos hold all the major championship belts in the  division, but have said they would not fight each other.

“The fight is out of the question with either of the  Klitschkos in the new year,” added Haye.

“I’d love nothing better than to knock Vitali out. They  believe I’m just another challenger out there, good luck to  them. Let them carry on fighting the guys they’re used to  fighting.

“There’s always one more pay day but I’ve been pretty shrewd  so I don’t have to fight. I didn’t have to fight as a  heavyweight for the last three years, I could have retired after  my cruiserweight days.”

Haye turned heavyweight in 2008 following a promise to his  mum after a cruiserweight career that started in 2002.

“Heavyweight has got that special ring to it, I always told  my mum I would be the heavyweight champion of the world. No one  can ever take that away from me.”

Haye beat the giant Russian Nikolai Valuev in 2009 to clinch  the WBA world championship belt.