The heavyweight champion gives clear reasons why Wardley is “not a great fight” for him. Instead, Oleksandr Usyk wants to fight Deontay Wilder of all people.
Oleksandr Usyk continues to cause a stir – and this time he even names his preferred opponent. The Ukrainian heavyweight king is by no means thinking about retiring. Instead, he has a clear goal: Deontay Wilder. “I want to keep boxing – and I want Wilder,” says Usyk to Boxing King Media. “He’s a big name, a real puncher. One of the strongest heavyweights of the last ten years. I’m interested in this fight.”
Usyk openly – and surprisingly matter-of-factly – explains why he gave up his WBO belt to avoid Fabio Wardley. “If Parker had won, it would have been a great fight for me,” explained the Ukrainian. “Wardley is a good guy, I know him. But for me, it’s just not a big fight in sporting and business terms.”
Wilder, on the other hand, despite four defeats in recent years, is interested: “If Usyk is ready – I’m there. That would be huge.” The heavyweight scene is being shaken up: Usyk wants “the last big puncher of his era” – and Wilder sees his chance for late redemption. In 2026, there could actually be a spectacle that nobody had on the cards for a long time.
Text by Robin Josten