Tony Bellew believes that David Haye would have got the better of Tyson Fury had they have fought.
Haye pulled out of two scheduled showdowns with Fury in 2013 and their eagerly-anticipated fight never materialised.
Bellew, who sent Haye into retirement for a second time after stopping him twice, believes his former rival would have had too much in his arsenal for the now-WBC heavyweight world champion.
“He [David Haye] was probably the brightest prospect in world boxing,” he told William Hill’s Up Front podcast.
“In 2004 and 2005, David Haye was unbelievable.
“I’m convinced if David Haye had fought Tyson Fury when that fight first got announced, he would [have won].
“He would never have a chance now, the Fury that beat [Wladimir] Klitschko, I’m quite happy to say would beat them all.
“Physically [Fury] was so undeveloped at that stage. Steve Cunningham nearly beat him.
“David Haye is twice the puncher and twice the fighter that Steve Cunningham ever was.
“If David Haye hurts you or drops you, you’re done. He is probably one of the best finishers this country has ever seen, he’s that prolific.
“The only finisher I have ever seen better than David Haye is Nigel Benn. When he gets you hurt, he takes you out.
“That’s why I always knew if David was to drop me in one of the fights, I’m done and I knew I had to stay away from that.”
Fury is rumoured to be part of an audacious plan from backers in Saudi Arabia to stage an undisputed heavyweight title clash with unified champion, Oleksandr Usyk as well as a long-awaited showdown between Deontay Wilder and Anthony Joshua.
The unbeaten 34-year-old has not fought since beating Derek Chisora for a third time in December and saw a proposed meeting with Usyk go up in smoke earlier this year, following disagreements over a rematch clause.
‘The Gypsy King’ is reportedly looking to defend his WBC title in July, with Andy Ruiz Jr and Zhilei Zhang, who stunned Joe Joyce earlier this month, among the potential options according to ESPN.
