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Orgo-Life the new way to the future Advertising by AdpathwayOleksandr Usyk’s run through cruiserweight and heavyweight has convinced David Haye that the unbeaten Ukrainian would have been competitive in any heavyweight era, including the talent-rich 1990s.
Usyk became the undisputed champion at cruiserweight before moving up to heavyweight and beating Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury, and Daniel Dubois twice each. The 39-year-old now faces kickboxing star Rico Verhoeven on Saturday night at the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt.
“Usyk, putting them in there with [Evander] Holyfield, [Mike] Tyson, Lennox [Lewis], he would have hung with the best of them,” said David Haye to BoxingScene.
“He would have found a way. He’s shown consistently that he’s beat every man in and around his era. It’s hard not to be a fan of someone who’s done that.
“It’d be the equivalent of me beating Tyson Fury, Wladimir Klitschko, Vitali Klitschko, and anyone else.”
Haye said Usyk’s ability to win away from home repeatedly against elite opposition separated him from most heavyweight champions from previous generations during their title runs over time.
Haye, who also won world titles at cruiserweight and heavyweight during his career, believes Usyk’s body of work already places him among the top heavyweights of any generation.
Usyk’s fight against Verhoeven is expected to draw major attention because of the unusual crossover element, even if many fans see it as a mismatch compared to the contenders waiting behind him at heavyweight.
The fight headlines Saturday’s “Glory in Giza” card in Egypt.
Michael Collins is a senior writer at Boxing247.com (East Side Boxing) and has covered world championship boxing since 2012. Respected for his measured reporting and technical insight, he delivers expert analysis on elite fighters, contenders, and the evolving global fight landscape.
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Boxing • Boxing News • David Haye Backs Oleksandr Usyk Against 90s Giants
Last Updated on 2026/05/22 at 7:55 PM
















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