Haye: Stiverne Takes it Late or Wilder By Early KO

By Rick Reeno

Former two-division world champion David Haye will be a very interested observer when Bermane Stiverne (24-1-1, 21KOs) defends his WBC heavyweight crown for the first time against mandatory challenger Deontay Wilder (32-0, 32KOs). Negotiations for the fight are ongoing, with a purse bid scheduled for October 1st.

Haye, inactive since 2012, is very close to announcing his ring return. He wants to reclaim the heavyweight title. He held the WBA's version of the title before losing it to heavyweight king Wladimir Klitschko in 2011.

Regarding outcome Stiverne-Wilder, Haye is on the fence. He could see Wilder getting a KO win in the first six rounds, or Stiverne retaining his title by taking Wilder into deep waters.

Deontay Wilder has a 100% knockout ratio, so you have to say that if it's going to be a knockout its going to be Deontay....probably early. But Deontay hasn't gone many rounds. If you're a betting man, you would have to bet Stiverne late or Wilder early. You can only go by what you see. Wilder hasn't  been [taken into the late rounds], so there are still question marks. He might be better in the twelfth round than he is in the first round but we don't know that yet. If I was trying to be safe with my gambling, I would go Stiverne late or Wilder by vicious knockout in the first six rounds," Haye told BoxingScene.com.