Sparring footage of a prime David Haye coming up against a young Deontay Wilder over 10 years ago now can be found on YouTube, and it shows a massive gulf in class between the two heavyweights.

Disclaimer, however, before we continue, that is to be expected considering it was Haye in his prime and a very youthful and inexperienced Wilder.

The video was uploaded back in 2013 by Ross Woolgrove, a boxing coach who, at the time, was based in Cyprus, training several top-level fighters.

It has since accumulated over four million views, and it shows just how lethal a prime Haye was, even in sparring. It also now goes on to show just how far Deontay Wilder has come in his own career, from a youthful sparring partner for David Haye, to a legitimate top heavyweight, who held the WBC title for many, many years.

The video reminds everyone of the level that Haye was at back in his prime. During his illustrious career, the Brit won titles in the cruiserweight division as well as the heavyweight division, famously and iconically defeating Russian Nikolai Valuev back in 2009, despite being nine inches shorter than him and 45kg lighter than him!

Video: David Haye Sparring Deontay Wilder

However, he does also have blemishes on his record, losing to Wladimir Klitschko in arguably the biggest fight of his career, blaming the result on a little toe injury as well, and then losing twice back-to-back to Tony Bellew before eventually retiring from the sport.

It was those defeats to fellow countryman Bellew that ended his professional career on a sour note, but we must remember just how good he was in his prime.

The footage shows a much younger Wilder, who seemingly hadn’t reached the abilities he carries now, being schooled by Haye, who showed precise movement and accurate shots that continued to land. There were three shots in particular that looked absolutely massive, with Wilder recklessly swinging and missing at one point as well… something you could argue he still does to this day.

Deontay Wilder’s Journey Since Sparring With David Haye

Though, despite being younger, he was still a heavyweight contender who then became the heavyweight champion and was America’s first for many years, with him defending the title from 2015 to 2020 10 times before colliding with rival Tyson Fury.

Wilder, nicknamed The Bronze Bomber, would become an iconic name in the heavyweight division due to his unmatched power, with only the legendary Mike Tyson believed to be carrying the same sort of power behind a punch in their prime. It may have ended badly for Wilder when he fought The Gypsy King, but he still posed a serious threat to the Brit.

In more recent times, it’s also been a bit of a mixed bag for Wilder, who has won his last two fights, but had lost his previous two. As of writing this artice, his professional boxing record reads 45 wins, four defeats, and one draw.

No doubt a young Wilder would’ve learned a lot from those sparring sessions with David Haye, but it’s clear to see the difference in class during that stage of their careers.

Haye was already at the top of the mountain, whereas the American was learning his craft. Who knows how a fight would’ve gone between a prime Haye and a prime Wilder, but boy it would’ve made for great viewing.

Aston Villa are set to focus on a move for a new right-back after agreeing a move for Mateo Ruggeri, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka a genuine target.

The Villans have had a busy summer window so far, bringing in Alejandro Garnacho, Johan Manzambi and Joao Gomes to the squad, while they have lost Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans and Lucas Digne. That saw them move to strengthen in defence with the arrival of Ruggeri from Atletico Madrid, who has undergone a medical.

But the club are now keen to find more depth at full-back with competition for Matty Cash understood to be among their priorities, and the West Ham star has emerged as a serious option.

Wan-Bissaka was relegated with the Hammers last season but enjoyed a decent World Cup with DR Congo, and is now pushing to leave the east London outfit and return to the top flight.

West Ham are open to a sale and value the 28-year-old at around £25m, but Villa would like to lower that fee. However, writing on his X account, Fabrizio Romano has revealed that the club are now set to turn their focus to signing a new right-back.

“Aston Villa are set to focus their efforts also on new right-back after Ruggeri deal being announced soon at LB. Aston Villa interest in Aaron Wan-Bissaka, genuine and concrete,” he wrote.

Ezri Konsa has regularly been used as the back-up option at right-back for Villa, but he is the first-choice centre back in the squad, and he is attracting strong interest from Arsenal, with fresh talks held over a potential move to join the Premier League champions, increasing the need for defensive reinforcements at Villa Park.

Wan-Bissaka a ‘Ridiculous’ Defender

Wan-Bissaka has been playing at the highest level for a number of years, first for Crystal Palace, and then for Man Utd before making the move to West Ham.

While his qualities on the ball have always been questioned, his defensive ability has never been in doubt, with Tottenham playmaker James Maddison describing him as ‘ridiculously good’.

Rangers have tabled a formal bid to sign Portland Timbers star Kevin Kelsy to bolster their forward options.

The Ibrox club have had a terrible start to the season so far, drawing twice and losing twice in their opening four games under new manager Derek McInnes, who is looking to strengthen the squad and win fans over as he looks to compete with Celtic to win the club’s first Scottish Premiership title since 2021.

Rangers have already signed nine new players, while GIVEMESPORT sources understand that a deal has been agreed with AEK Athens for defender James Penrice to become the tenth arrival. But a deal to sign forward Couhaib Driouech has collapsed after some medical issues were flagged in a medical, and now the club have made a new move to sign a different forward instead.

According to a report by Tom Bogert of The Athletic, Rangers have made a formal offer worth £7.4m to sign Kevin Kelsy.

It was reported this week that the Venezuela forward was a target for the Ibrox club after they lost striker Youssef Chermiti for the season due to a serious knee injury suffered in the defeat to Hibernian, which came just days after they rejected a £22m bid for his services.

It’s understood that the MLS side are not looking to sell the 22-year-old forward, and the player himself is not pushing to make the switch to Glasgow at this stage either. Rangers face competition for his signature, with several other clubs tracking him.

Kelsy has enjoyed a strong season in the MLS so far this campaign, netting nine goals and registering two assists in just 994 minutes. Standing at 6ft 4, Rangers feel his profile would fit perfectly into their squad and can cover Chermiti’s injury, which has made him a prime target.

GIVEMEPORT sources understand that Sheffield United striker Ryan One was a target, but talks have now halted after a loan-to-buy bid was rejected, while there have also been reports of interest in former striker Rory Wilson.

Phil Neville Thinks Kelsy is ‘One of the Best’

Kelsy made the move to Portland Timbers following short spells at Shakhtar Donetsk and FC Cincinnati, and upon his arrival at the club in 2024, then-manager Phil Neville shared his evaluation of the player, which included some startling praise.

“We’re excited to have him. He has the pace, strength, creativity, and he scores goals. His potential fits in perfectly with the young group we have in Portland.”