Boxing
I've faced Klitschko, Bellew, and Chisora, but nobody ever hit me harder than veteran American
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David Haye walked away from boxing in 2018 after a second stoppage loss to Tony Bellew, but who does the London fighter consider the biggest puncher he ever faced?
After turning professional in 2002, Haye appeared destined to go all the way to the top and despite some wobbles along the way, he finally became world champion in 2007 when travelling to France to beat Jean Marc Mormeck in a thrilling encounter.
Two years later, Haye emulated Evander Holyfield by moving up to heavyweight and becoming world champion in a second division with a points win over Nikolai Valuev in Germany.
Haye would make two successful defences against Johnny Ruiz and Audley Harrison, but an attempt to rule the division in 2011 saw Haye come unstuck against Wladimir Klitschko.
After beating Derek Chisora in 2012, Haye’s career was blighted by injuries, and he would miss almost four years before returning with two comeback wins before heading into an intense rivalry with Bellew.
Despite having Bellew, Klitschko, and Chisora on his illustrious record, Haye credits America’s Monte Barrett as being the biggest puncher he ever faced after beating him in 2008.
“He was a very heavy-handed guy,” said Haye when speaking to The Ring .
“I remember him hitting me and being shocked at the difference in punch power between him and the cruiserweights.”
