David Haye is one of the best cruiserweights to ever do it, but still admits one current champion would present plenty of problems.
Haye carried explosive power on his way through the ranks to become unified cruiserweight ruler, before moving up to heavyweight in 2008 and eventually holding the WBA heavyweight title after beating the giant Nikolai Valuev.
He also fought the likes of Wladimir Klitschko and bowed out from the sport in 2018 after a pair of fights with Tony Bellew.
Speaking to Ring Magazine, Haye was asked how in his prime he would have fared against current IBF champion Jai Opetaia, having recently admitted he’d have lost to Evander Holyfield.
“Well it’s a tough one that. He’s a right handful. I watched him coming through and he’s a nightmare. I really wouldn’t like to fight him. He’s like super sharp, and he’s tough, and his punch angles are real useful.
“I think he can be the fourth guy to be cruiserweight champ and the heavyweight champ. I think he’s got the capabilities to do that. I didn’t think there’d be another one after Usyk, but I’m watching him and thinking he’ll be a problem for anyone.
“He would give Usyk a tougher fight than everyone else, really, I think he knows that as well. I would have won obviously, but I would have had to have been on my very best day. I really respect him.”
IBF champion Opetaia has beaten the likes of Mairis Briedis twice, Jack Massey and Ellis Zorro and is keen to unify the division. The first step on that road comes against Huseyin Cinkara on December 6 at the Gold Coast Convention Centre in Australia.
