David Haye, an ex-world champion boxer, knew that his career was over when he faced Tony Bellew 35 seconds later.
The 40-year old was dropped three more times before being stopped in The O2's fifth back on May 5, 2018. This led to his retirement just a few short weeks later.
"Hayemaker" had ruptured his Achilles in the fight with the Liverpudlian one year prior, forcing his side to end the match in the eleventh.
The Londoner admitted that he knew he was done as a fighter after the first round of the one-sided bout.
Haye spoke to the Daily Star and stated that he knew it was the end about 35 seconds into his fight with Tony Bellew. It was strange and all weird. It was something I have never experienced before. It didn't feel like a fight, it was very strange.
"I was a little bit of a pragmatist hoping that something would click back to how it was always, but it never did.
"Even the first rounds, when I was winning, it felt like everything was an effort. It was hard to even move or bounce.
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"I would see the opportunities after they had gone, whereas before I would see it and deal with it. It got to the point that I couldn't see, and it was too late. "Where I would normally slip and counter, I was just getting hit.
"It was an overwhelming feeling that I have never experienced before, and it would be a shame to lose it again.
The former two-weight title holder said, "I'm glad that it ended so conclusively so it doesn't leave any thoughts that' maybe one day I can do something better, if my Achilles wasn't then I could have done it.
I knew it was it. "I knew that was it. 
"And when that flame's gone, it's gone for good." Haye will light the fire again next month after signing up to fight billionaire Joe Fournier at Staples Center, Los Angeles.
This eight-round fight will be on the undercard to Oscar de la Hoya’s comeback fight against Vitor Bellfort. It WILL count towards his record. 
