David Haye closes Hayemaker gym as bids for boxing ring skyrocket

David Haye declared "the end of an era" as the Hayemaker gym in south London closed its doors for the last time.

The former heavyweight world champion, who trained for his 2009 WBA title win with Nikolai Valuev beneath the rumbling Vauxhall railway arches, has seen bids for his personal boxing ring pass the £65,000 mark after posting it on online auction site eBay.

It is four years since Haye lost his WBA title to Wladimir Klitschko and more than three years since his last professional fight, but while the 34-year-old came out of retirement to face Dereck Chisora at Upton Park in July 2012 he has long maintained that his second boxing career is not yet over.

Twice Haye was scheduled to face Tyson Fury and twice the former cruiserweight world champion was forced to withdraw through injury -- first splitting his eyebrow in sparring and then undergoing shoulder surgery that looked to have ended his career.

In April, Haye reiterated his desire to return to the ring, turning away from a showdown with Fury and instead targeting a return in the United States to build towards a fight with WBC champion Deontay Wilder.

Whether or not the closing of the Hayemaker gym marks the first stage of his transition across the Atlantic or the final act of his career remains to be seen, but it certainly marks the end of a six-year chapter.

The auction for the 20ft professional competition ring that formed the centrepiece of the narrow training base on eBay has already attracted 70 bids, pushing the asking price beyond £65,000.

"So much has happened in it," Haye posted on his Facebook page. "I've used it for the Valuev, Klitschko, Ruiz and Chisora fight[s] -- all the blood, sweat and tears from my whole heavyweight campaign has been done in that ring.

"Whoever wins the bidding situation, congratulations. I hope you put as much hard work and effort in as I've put into it as it is a very special ring."