Unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk has identified Deontay Wilder as his preferred opponent for his next high-profile fight.
Unified heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk has set his sights on former WBC champion Deontay Wilder as his preferred opponent for his next bout, the 38-year-old revealed on Tuesday.
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Usyk made the announcement following his stoppage victory over Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium in July, a win that secured him status as a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion.
Shortly after, Usyk vacated the WBO title, allowing Britain’s Fabio Wardley to be elevated from interim to full champion.
BBC Sport reported Usyk stating, “I continue fighting next year. I want to fight Deontay Wilder. I think it’s interesting.”
Wilder, a former WBC world champion, has faced challenges since his trilogy with Tyson Fury.
The American’s reputation declined after stoppage defeats by Joseph Parker in 2023 and Zhilei Zhang in 2024.
Following over a year out of the ring, Wilder returned in June with a seventh-round stoppage of little-known Tyrrell Anthony Herndon.
Despite these setbacks, Usyk continues to regard Wilder as a marquee name in the heavyweight division.
“He is a world champion guy. A very famous and strong guy. One of the great heavyweights of the last 10 years. I spoke with my team and said he is the first option,” Usyk added.
Usyk, who has previously beaten Tyson Fury twice, as well as Dubois and Anthony Joshua, has said he plans to fight for only two more years, aiming to remain active through 2026.
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The Olympic gold medallist first became undisputed champion at cruiserweight before moving to heavyweight, where he defeated Fury to become boxing’s first undisputed heavyweight in 25 years.
