David Haye Weighs In on Rico Verhoeven's Shot at Deontay Wilder

David Haye has handed Deontay Wilder the edge in a mooted heavyweight crossover against kickboxing icon Rico Verhoeven — and Verhoeven, for his part, says the fight is already a yes. Wilder, 45-4-1 with 43 knockouts, hasn't thrown a punch in anger since a split-decision win over Derek Chisora back in April. Verhoeven's boxing résumé is thinner than almost anyone's at this level: a single pro bout, against Oleksandr Usyk no less.

That debut was no soft touch. Verhoeven rocked up to the Pyramids of Giza as the most inexperienced title challenger imaginable and pushed Usyk uncomfortably close before a controversial 11th-round stoppage saved the champion's belts. Now, with his name being floated for December's Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua bill, a clash with Wilder is on the table — and Verhoeven's accepted it.

Haye's Read on the Matchup

Haye's verdict, delivered to talkSPORT Boxing, hinges entirely on which Wilder shows up. He pointed out that the version that squeaked past Chisora looked a long way from the man who used to flatten heavyweights for fun. If Wilder can roll back the years even a little, Haye warned, the raw power still travels — and Verhoeven doesn't have a track record of slipping big shots.

But Haye wasn't writing Verhoeven off. He argued the Dutchman will be a far better fighter than the one who debuted against Usyk, because you learn an enormous amount in your first 11 rounds at world level. Another year of drilling the footwork and head movement that don't come naturally after a career in kickboxing, Haye reckons, and Verhoeven becomes a genuinely more effective heavyweight.

Wilder's Options on the Card

Wilder isn't short of dance partners if Verhoeven falls through. 'The Bronze Bomber' has also been linked to a jump up the difficulty scale against cruiserweight lineal champion Jai Opetaia, 30-0 with 23 stoppages, on the same Fury vs. Joshua undercard. One target is a crossover novelty with knockout potential; the other is an undefeated technician giving up size. They're very different nights.

The common thread is Wilder trying to rebuild momentum after a win that raised more questions than it answered. Whether that means testing himself against Opetaia or cashing in on the Verhoeven circus, the December card is shaping up as the place where he picks a direction.