LONDON (AP) — Former heavyweight champion David Haye announced his retirement on his birthday Thursday, fulfilling his promise to quit by the time he reached 31.

The British fighter’s last bout was a loss on points in July to Wladimir Klitschko, who added Haye’s WBA title to his own WBO and IBF belts.

Starting off as a cruiserweight before moving up to heavyweight, Haye won 25 of his 27 fights as a professional.

He beat Russia’s Nikolay Valuev in November 2009 to capture the WBA title, successfully defending it against John Ruiz and Audley Harrison.

“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.

Haye’s last fight was against Wladimir Klitschko on 2 July, when he lost his WBA title in Hamburg.

There had been speculation Haye could return to the ring to fight Wladimir’s older brother Vitali in 2012, despite reports earlier this week that the Londoner did not want to renew his boxing licence, which runs out in December.

“I love boxing, I love training, but you’ve got to call it a day sooner or later. Too many fighters over the years have gone on way too long. Now’s a great time. I feel healthy, there’s no damage, why not?