David Haye claims Oleksandr Usyk must improve his defence if he moves up to heavyweight
Usyk defeated Bellew to retain his undisputed cruiserweight world titles, and rumours of a move up to heavyweight have began - but Haye believes the Ukrainian needs to improve defensively
DAVID HAYE claimed Oleksandr Usyk must improve his defence if he is to be successful at heavyweight.
Haye was ringside to watch Usyk knockout Tony Bellew in round eight of their undisputed cruiserweight world title fight.
Usyk had previously admitted he was eyeing a future fight with unified world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua.
However, Haye cited Usyk was hit too often against his former rival Bellew, as ‘Bomber’ found himself ahead on two of the judges scorecards before he was KO’d.
The former two-weight world champion told that Usyk cannot afford to be on the receiving end of that many shots if it is Joshua or WBC king Deontay Wilder throwing the punches.
Haye said: “The shots he was taking tonight against Bellew, you don’t wanna be taking those shots from a Joshua or a Deontay Wilder.
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“His defense wasn’t as slick as I thought it was going into this fight. He was getting counter-punched, he was getting hit at range.”
Usyk, the current WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO cruiserweight king, already penned a deal with promoter Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Boxing - leaving a fight with Joshua or Dillian Whyte a huge possibility.
Usyk also competed as an amateur at heavyweight, before moving down to campaign at cruiserweight as a pro.
But Haye claimed Usyk may struggle to move up in weight due to the size of modern day heavyweights such as Joshua, Wilder and Tyson Fury.
Haye added: “He needs to do a lot of work. He could physically do it. It is possible, because I’ve done it, Evander Holyfield’s done it.
“We are the only two fighters in history to have moved up from cruiserweight, as a champion, to heavyweight and won world titles.
“So, for me, it’s a tough ask, particularly with the modern-day heavyweight being so big, being so explosive, and being so young and in their prime.
“It’s not like (Joshua) is an old guy. It’s not like it’s a John Ruiz with a title. Maybe he could beat that type of guy.
“But someone like Deontay Wilder, someone like even Tyson Fury, you’re gonna need to do something very spectacular.
