David Haye Supports Oleksandr Usyk's Desire to Fight Rico Verhoeven

Former two-weight world champion David Haye has shared his thoughts on the possible matchup between Oleksandr Usyk and kickboxer Rico Verhoeven. Haye firmly believes that Usyk undoubtedly deserves the chance to compete in this bout, given his impressive accomplishments in the boxing world.

The British boxer emphasized that Usyk has earned the right to fight Verhoeven more than any other boxer in boxing history. "He deserves to fight a kickboxer more than any other fighter in boxing history. In a short period, Usyk has been fighting one match after another in the cruiserweight division, unifying all the belts and becoming the undisputed champion," Haye stated in an interview for The Sun Sport's YouTube channel.

David Haye also highlighted that Oleksandr Usyk has not only risen to heavyweight and become the undisputed champion but has also provided opportunities for other boxers. "He has given everyone two chances. He gave two opportunities to Joshua, two chances to Fury, and two chances to Dubois. Usyk could not fight increasingly difficult matches one after another. If anyone deserves such a fight, it is Usyk," Haye added.

He further pointed out that both Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua have fought Francis Ngannou, and although Fury did not maximize his advantage from that fight, he nearly lost. "Usyk deserves this fight, there is no doubt about it. Everyone complains, but let this guy have a break. He is constantly fighting the best opponents one after another. Don’t take titles away from him, and let the boxing machinery work," Haye concluded.

It is worth noting that the WBC title fight between Oleksandr Usyk and Rico Verhoeven is scheduled for May 23, 2026, in Giza, Egypt. This event has generated significant interest among boxing fans, as both fighters boast impressive records in their careers.

Additionally, it is important to mention that undefeated boxer Itauma has also shared his thoughts on this matchup, identifying the main issue surrounding the fight between the Ukrainian and Verhoeven. This indicates that the bout not only excites but also raises certain concerns among experts and sports enthusiasts.

Thus, David Haye's support could play a crucial role in shaping public opinion regarding the upcoming fight between Usyk and Verhoeven, while also underscoring the significance of this bout for the career of the Ukrainian boxer.