Haye on Whether He’d Beat Usyk in His Prime

Former world champion at cruiserweight and heavyweight David Haye believes he could have beaten anyone in his prime—bar one.

– Prime David Haye vs prime Oleksandr Usyk. That would be a terrific fight.

– At my very best, I think I’d beat anyone except Evander Holyfield. He’d just destroy me.

– So you’d give yourself a shot against Usyk?

– Yes, definitely. No doubt. But I can also see a scenario where he beats me—his southpaw stance, his smarts. He’s very clever. I can also see the version where I just catch him with the right hand.

– So you’d time him with it?

– Exactly. If I catch him, I win the fight. If I don’t—if he’s too elusive—then I probably lose on points.

Haye (28-4, 26 KOs) unified titles at cruiserweight before moving up to heavyweight. He lost four times in his career—three inside the distance—to Wladimir Klitschko (decision), Tony Bellew twice (stoppages), and Carl Thompson (stoppage). He retired after the second loss to Bellew.

Photo: Boxing Social