David Haye has shed some insight into his time sparring Deontay Wilder, and believes the American hits harder than any heavyweight there’s ever been.
Haye sparred Wilder back in 2013 and, in a resurfaced BT Sport feature, revealed he was able to gauge the nature of the power despite the pair wearing larger gloves.
When comparing ‘The Bronze Bomber’s power to Wladimir Klitschko, who Haye fought back in 2011, Haye was of no doubt as to which man packed a bigger punch.
“I truly think he [Deontay Wilder] is the hardest punching heavyweight ever, I know that maybe sounds like an exaggeration.
I got hit by Wilder in sparring. I’ve been hit by Wladimir Klitschko, on the chin with 10 ounce gloves on. There was more effect from Wilder hitting me on the top of the head, with 18 ounce gloves on and I was wearing a head guard – and it wasn’t even clean!
After that, I remember thinking ‘this guy is going to do something.’ He was wild and he was all over the place. . . but the power.”
Wilder was only a fringe contender around the time of the spars with Haye, however would go on to become a world champion who racked up 7 successful defences, every one coming inside the distance.
After losing his WBC crown to Tyson Fury in 2020 and coming up short in a trilogy bout last year, Wilder announced his return to the heavyweight division with a bang this autumn, destroying Robert Helenius in just one round.
A big fight seems inevitable for the 2008 Olympic bronze medalist, with Anthony Joshua and Andy Ruiz Jr both on he and trainer Malik Scott’s radar.