However, the Englishman would undoubtedly lace up his gloves once more to take on Wladimir or brother Vitali should the right offer be made – especially after being hampered by an injury in Hamburg first time around.

Haye infamously blamed a broken toe for his failure to perform against Klitschko in his final fight but maintains he never considered pulling out, especially having withdrawn from a bout with Klitschko in 2009 with a back problem.

“It was never an option to pull out of the fight no matter what was wrong,” ’The Hayemaker’ told Press Association Sport. “I was never going to pull out.

“I had to go through with it. It was not an option. Certain fights you can pull out of and certain fights you can’t, and in that fight it was not an option.”

The former cruiserweight king, who will pursue an acting career in the future after hanging up his gloves and this week launching his official biography, admits the Klitschkos could eventually try to lure him back into the ring when they run out of viable opponents.

“Only time will tell whether the Klitschkos need me more than I need them,” Haye said.

“They won’t believe that. But it depends what they want out of boxing. If they want guaranteed easy victories then they can do what they’ve always done, but if they want a tough challenge you’d think they would want to beat down my door.

“But if they’re not interested in fighting then fair enough, I’ve moved on. It obviously wasn’t meant to be.”

The Klitschko camp claimed days before Haye’s scheduled retirement on October 13 they were negotiating a deal for the Briton to meet WBC champion Vitali, but the fighter himself insists they “never came close” to agreeing anything.

Haye bowed out with a record of 25 wins – 23 by knockout – and two defeats, and admits his losses to Carl Thompson early in his career and Klitschko in his last fight are just something he has to accept.

“The two defeats were completely different because against Carl Thompson I was unprepared, both mentally and physically and there was a lot more I could have done, whereas the fight with Wladimir was completely different,” he said.

“It didn’t go my way against Klitschko. It was one of those fights. I lost a points decision and it is what it is.

“I did the best I could and I’ve got to live with that.”

Haye insists he is content to carry on enjoying a life of leisure for the time being.

“I’m definitely not getting itchy feet just yet,” he said.

“I’m keeping busy, catching up with friends and family, having a rest and taking it easy. I’m enjoying life and enjoying all the things I wasn’t able to while I was a competitive boxer.”