David Haye has experienced the power of both Wladimir Klitschko and Deontay Wilder.
Haye is a former unified cruiserweight world champion who held three of the four major world titles in 2008 and was regarded as the best in his division.
He then moved up to the banner division and claimed the WBA title in 2009 after defeating Nikolai Valuev before then taking on Klitschko in 2011 and losing the belt via a unanimous decision.
In the meantime, he also sparred with the then-young American prospect Wilder. Speaking to iFL TV, he was asked what it was like to be punched by the man who went on to win 43 fights, 42 by stoppage.
“I truly think he’s the hardest punching heavyweight ever. Sounds like an exaggeration but I’ve been hit by Wilder in sparring, and I’ve been hit by Klitschko on the chin with 10 oz gloves.
“There was more effect from Wilder hitting me on the top of the head with 18 ox gloves on, me wearing a head guard, and it wasn’t even clean, it was just glancing, but I felt that more. I thought afterwards, this guy is going to do something.”
As well as twice losing to Tyson Fury by knockout, Wilder has also lost his two more recent fights – first against Joseph Parker on points in December 2023, then via stoppage to Zhilei Zhang back in June.
Wilder is expected to return to the ring in April with an official announcement due any day.
Klitschko is also considering a stunning comeback at 48-years-old, with a possible rematch against Tyson Fury being muted.
