Former world heavyweight champion David Haye has been advised by doctors to consider retiring after undergoing shoulder surgery.

Haye underwent five hours of surgery in Germany last week to reconstruct his right shoulder and was advised to think about ending his 11-year professional boxing career.

Haye, 33, had been due to box compatriot Tyson Fury in a re-arranged bout on Feb. 8, in Manchester, but has cancelled the fight for a second time.

“I genuinely believed the shoulder injury wasn’t that bad,” Haye said.

“But the doctor sent me for a detailed MRI scan and within 24 hours I was told the full extent of the damage. Twenty-four hours after that I was in the operating theatre.

“It’s a crushing blow for me. I had big plans for next year.”