Former world heavyweight champion (up to 90.7 kg) and heavyweight (over 90.7 kg) weight categories Briton David Haye shared his
reaction for the August 20 rematch between the unified champion from Ukraine Oleksandr Usyk (20-0, 13 KOs) and former British champion Anthony Joshua (24-3, 22 KOs).
Haye also commented on a possible fight for the title of absolute world champion between Usyk and WBC title holder Briton Tyson Fury (32-0-1, 23 KOs).
Joshua lost to Usyk for the second time. We saw Joshua have a moment in the ring that people interpreted in different ways. First of all, what is your reaction to Joshua’s performance?
He couldn’t have tried harder. He put in 10 out of 10 efforts. He couldn’t do more than what he was preparing for. What he prepared for, he did. He couldn’t do more. How can you do more than 100%? That’s all. He did everything in his power.
What can you say about the situation that happened after the fight?
– When you get hit in the head and face for 36 minutes in the ring, you have a lot of thoughts and emotions. Going to the biggest event, where everyone does not believe in your victory and everyone is against you – and he did not do what he dreamed of. How many people, away from prying eyes, argue for their mistakes? It’s hard to judge a man at his worst moment, when he went through an absolutely ordeal. I don’t really care about what he said, to be honest. Give him one hour to calm down and I guarantee his words would have been different. Poetry cannot be expected from the lips of someone who is angry and picks up a microphone. This rarely happens.
- What happened to Joshua after Usyk’s defeat: coach says
What do you think about the Tyson Fury situation? It looks like he has resumed his career again. Do you think that the fight for the title of absolute champion against Oleksandr Usyk will take place?
— Yes, 100%. There are two fighters right now who are undeniably number one and two, no matter how you position them. Therefore, there should be only one left, as in “Highlander”. And we will find out who he is. On paper, Usyk is already absolute. None of them lost. Fury has a draw, but he got even for it with early victories. I think this is the best fight ever. Fight with very contrasting styles, very different fighters. How does Tyson Fury deal with smaller, better fighters? Look at Steve Cunningham. He was the heavyweight champion and had success against Fury. But then Fury used his size and just crushed him into pulp. Will Usyk be harder? I think yes. I think it will be a great fight. I’m really looking forward to it. Finally, we will have one undisputed champion without question marks.