David Haye was an explosive fighter who achieved great success in two divisions.
He first earned himself a global reputation in the cruiserweight division where he unified the WBA, WBC, and WBO titles by defeating Enzo Maccarinelli and Jean-Marc Mormeck to establish himself as one of the best to ever do it in that division.
The Londoner then moved up to heavyweight and in 2009 he managed to defeat the towering Russian Nikolai Valuev by boxing smart on the back foot, at range, and winning on points to lift the WBA belt.
He defended his title successfully before losing it to Wladimir Klitschko in a unification bout in 2011 and retired after back-to-back losses to Tony Bellew in two high-profile bouts on Sky Sports Box Office.
After highly rated prospect Moses Itauma‘s latest victory in Saudi Arabia, Haye was asked by TNT Sports Boxing what he saw in the ring and was full of compliments.
“I saw a future world champion. I saw someone who showed all the attributes you need. 19, to be in the position you are physically, skills, not taking any unnecessary shots, punching power is there. That’s what you want to see in a future champ.”
Itauma was then asked how he felt hearing that high praise and revealed Haye was one of his favourite fighters.
“Do you know what, I was saying earlier, you are one of my favourite cruiserweight’s ever to live. Him saying it now, I’m over the moon. Any praise that I get from people that’s paved the way for me, I appreciate it, I take it and I always listen.”
The 19-year-old has high hopes of becoming the youngest-ever world heavyweight champion but is running out of time to beat the record set by a 20-year-old Mike Tyson. He has knockout power and composure in the ring, and has had plenty of props from the likes of Tyson Fury who he has sparred.
His record currently sits at 10 fights, 8 knockout wins and last time out he stopped the tough Mariusz Wach in July.
