BoxRec

Oleksandr Usyk and Deontay Wilder mutually interested in fighting

The next era of heavyweights may be eyeing Oleksandr Usyk, but the champion is considering Deontay Wilder – whose bigger name can’t hide the fact that his best days are clearly behind him.

And Wilder’s team is also interested.

“This is world champion guy. This is very famous guy. This is strong guy,” Usyk said of Wilder in an interview with Boxing King Media during the WBC convention in Bangkok, Thailand. “He is one of the great heavyweight[s of the] last 10 years.”

Usyk, 24-0 (15 KOs), has already defeated Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, the other two heavyweights who ruled the division alongside Wilder during the post-Wladimir Klitschko era.

In fact, Usyk has two victories apiece over the “Gypsy King” and “AJ.” He defeated Joshua by unanimous decision to win the IBF, WBA and WBO belts in 2021, then defended them with a split decision over Joshua in their 2022 rematch. Usyk edged Fury by thrilling split decision to add the WBC title and become undisputed champion in May 2024 and triumphed unanimously in their sequel last December.

Because of sanctioning body obligations, Usyk vacated the IBF belt between the Fury fights and then regained it in another rematch, knocking out Daniel Dubois in the fifth round this past July. His second undisputed reign didn’t last long; Usyk has since parted ways with the WBO belt, which now belongs to Fabio Wardley.

Wardley isn’t the only one striving to become the new king. Another leading challenger to the throne is Agit Kabayel (the interim WBC titleholder), and prospects such as Moses Itauma also have lofty future aspirations.

But Usyk, who turns 39 in January, is seemingly selective when it comes to whatever amount of time he has left in a Hall of Fame career that also saw him become the undisputed cruiserweight champion.

Wilder, who recently turned 40, is 44-4-1 (43 KOs) and nearly six years removed from his time as a heavyweight titleholder. Wilder’s five-year run with the WBC belt concluded in February 2020 when he lost his second fight with Fury, put away in a damaging seventh-round technical knockout.

He’s gone just 2-3 since. Wilder fought valiantly in a war with Fury in their third fight in October 2021, trading knockdowns and heavy blows before succumbing in the 11th round. Wilder took a year off to recover, returning with a one-round win over Robert Helenius in October 2022. He didn’t fight again for another 14 months, was outboxed and hurt in a decision loss to Joseph Parker in December 2023 and then suffered a highlight-reel KO at the hands of Zhilei Zhang in June 2024.

Another lengthy layoff followed. After nearly 13 months away, Wilder came back on June 27 and defeated the 24-5 Tyrrell Anthony Herndon via seventh-round TKO.

Those watching his performance were left to wonder whether Wilder was shaking off rust against Herndon or if the passage of time and the accumulation of punishment have taken their toll.

Wilder and his team are choosing to fight on, however.

"We have plans for next year, and we’d like Oleksandr Usyk to be part of them,” Wilder’s co-manager, Shelly Finkel, told Sky Sports. “If we receive the right offer, we would be open to that fight.”

Usyk patiently picks him apart, and stops him in 7 or 8.

Really hope this doesn't happen, massive let down for me.

Wilder comprehesivly outboxed and stopped ,, But regardless still may have a very slim punchers chance ,,not really rocket science is it , seen an interview with Usyk seems its the money fights he wants now , hence he relenquished his belt , don't think theres too many who actually want to jump in with him , giving the belt back means Fabio gets it , couple of easy defences and its on when he's ordered to defend against Usyk , , He then becomes undisputed again and probably vacates another one

Shit fight.

Absolutely dreadful match up.

Just so he can say he moved up to HW and fought all the the guys of that era.

Beat Joshua twice
Beat Fury twice

And just for laughs.. beaten Wilder

Doesn't make vacating the WBO look good does it?

I'd much rather see Wardley given the chance than a washed up, gun-shy Wilder.

deadpan wrote: ↑01 Dec 2025, 16:55 Doesn't make vacating the WBO look good does it?

I'd much rather see Wardley given the chance than a washed up, gun-shy Wilder.

I agree. In saying that I’d much rather neither boxed Usyk and he gave up the belt to fight Kabayel

kinda random for wilder to be dragged up at this stage of his career

i guess his name looks good on the record , but defo not near the best fight in 2026

deadpan wrote: ↑01 Dec 2025, 16:55 Doesn't make vacating the WBO look good does it?

I'd much rather see Wardley given the chance than a washed up, gun-shy Wilder.

wardley in 2026 is closer to the threat wilder was back in the day than wilder is now, thats for sure

agree also with kabayel, be interesting to see usyk vs a dedicated body banger

If Usyk wins he gets no credit, and should the unfancied upset happen...

I'd rather see Joyce with the runback angle, cos at least I could get behind Joe.

Usyk surely doesn’t have too many big nights left, why waste one of them with this sort of opponent.

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑01 Dec 2025, 16:45 Just so he can say he moved up to HW and fought all the the guys of that era.

Beat Joshua twice
Beat Fury twice

And just for laughs.. beaten Wilder

yip. might look good in years to come

Kilburn wrote: ↑01 Dec 2025, 17:27 Usyk surely doesn’t have too many big nights left, why waste one of them with this sort of opponent.

This sort of opponent makes it a safer bet he has at least 2 more big nights left instead of just 1.

Obviously it's a gimme for Uysk, but then who else has he to fight?
Wilder is a name and will generate money

Kilburn wrote: ↑01 Dec 2025, 17:27 Usyk surely doesn’t have too many big nights left, why waste one of them with this sort of opponent.

Who would improve his legacy?

Who wins?
Who cares?
Talk about scraping Parker's leftovers. Wilder is BoxRec #44.
The world unified #1 heavyweight has no business fighting #44.

I'd love to see all the bought boxing pundits trying to sell that turd.

Coco wrote: ↑01 Dec 2025, 18:05 Obviously it's a gimme for Uysk, but then who else has he to fight?
Wilder is a name and will generate money

Surely not any more.

Garbage fight at this juncture.

smiling assassin wrote: ↑01 Dec 2025, 16:59

deadpan wrote: ↑01 Dec 2025, 16:55 Doesn't make vacating the WBO look good does it?

I'd much rather see Wardley given the chance than a washed up, gun-shy Wilder.

I agree. In saying that I’d much rather neither boxed Usyk and he gave up the belt to fight Kabayel

True. Though I don't think Usyk will go near Kabayel. I reckon a near peak Usyk would outpoint him but those body shots look nasty. The risk-reward probably doesn't add up.

deadpan wrote: ↑01 Dec 2025, 16:55 Doesn't make vacating the WBO look good does it?

I'd much rather see Wardley given the chance than a washed up, gun-shy Wilder.

Its easy for us to say that but will frank put Wardley in with Usyk , he (Wardley ) has had a couple of scrape ins , highly doubt Frank will risk it , easier to do what he done sit back , make no offers and watch Usyk vacate , then a couple of easy defences , and its either Usyk challenging to get his belt back or a colosal Moses v Fabio for the strap , now that one will sell


I really don't take much notice of the giving belts back bollocks its only to sell a fight for another undisputed

Oleksandr Usyk and Deontay Wilder mutually interested in fighting

The next era of heavyweights may be eyeing Oleksandr Usyk, but the champion is considering Deontay Wilder – whose bigger name can’t hide the fact that his best days are clearly behind him.

And Wilder’s team is also interested.

“This is world champion guy. This is very famous guy. This is strong guy,” Usyk said of Wilder in an interview with Boxing King Media during the WBC convention in Bangkok, Thailand. “He is one of the great heavyweight[s of the] last 10 years.”

Usyk, 24-0 (15 KOs), has already defeated Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, the other two heavyweights who ruled the division alongside Wilder during the post-Wladimir Klitschko era.

In fact, Usyk has two victories apiece over the “Gypsy King” and “AJ.” He defeated Joshua by unanimous decision to win the IBF, WBA and WBO belts in 2021, then defended them with a split decision over Joshua in their 2022 rematch. Usyk edged Fury by thrilling split decision to add the WBC title and become undisputed champion in May 2024 and triumphed unanimously in their sequel last December.

Because of sanctioning body obligations, Usyk vacated the IBF belt between the Fury fights and then regained it in another rematch, knocking out Daniel Dubois in the fifth round this past July. His second undisputed reign didn’t last long; Usyk has since parted ways with the WBO belt, which now belongs to Fabio Wardley.

Wardley isn’t the only one striving to become the new king. Another leading challenger to the throne is Agit Kabayel (the interim WBC titleholder), and prospects such as Moses Itauma also have lofty future aspirations.

But Usyk, who turns 39 in January, is seemingly selective when it comes to whatever amount of time he has left in a Hall of Fame career that also saw him become the undisputed cruiserweight champion.

Wilder, who recently turned 40, is 44-4-1 (43 KOs) and nearly six years removed from his time as a heavyweight titleholder. Wilder’s five-year run with the WBC belt concluded in February 2020 when he lost his second fight with Fury, put away in a damaging seventh-round technical knockout.

He’s gone just 2-3 since. Wilder fought valiantly in a war with Fury in their third fight in October 2021, trading knockdowns and heavy blows before succumbing in the 11th round. Wilder took a year off to recover, returning with a one-round win over Robert Helenius in October 2022. He didn’t fight again for another 14 months, was outboxed and hurt in a decision loss to Joseph Parker in December 2023 and then suffered a highlight-reel KO at the hands of Zhilei Zhang in June 2024.

Another lengthy layoff followed. After nearly 13 months away, Wilder came back on June 27 and defeated the 24-5 Tyrrell Anthony Herndon via seventh-round TKO.

Those watching his performance were left to wonder whether Wilder was shaking off rust against Herndon or if the passage of time and the accumulation of punishment have taken their toll.

Wilder and his team are choosing to fight on, however.

"We have plans for next year, and we’d like Oleksandr Usyk to be part of them,” Wilder’s co-manager, Shelly Finkel, told Sky Sports. “If we receive the right offer, we would be open to that fight.”

deadpan wrote: ↑01 Dec 2025, 20:41

smiling assassin wrote: ↑01 Dec 2025, 16:59

deadpan wrote: ↑01 Dec 2025, 16:55 Doesn't make vacating the WBO look good does it?

I'd much rather see Wardley given the chance than a washed up, gun-shy Wilder.

I agree. In saying that I’d much rather neither boxed Usyk and he gave up the belt to fight Kabayel

True. Though I don't think Usyk will go near Kabayel. I reckon a near peak Usyk would outpoint him but those body shots look nasty. The risk-reward probably doesn't add up.

So you think he will duck Kabayel?

mickey1975 wrote: ↑02 Dec 2025, 05:46

deadpan wrote: ↑01 Dec 2025, 20:41

smiling assassin wrote: ↑01 Dec 2025, 16:59

I agree. In saying that I’d much rather neither boxed Usyk and he gave up the belt to fight Kabayel

True. Though I don't think Usyk will go near Kabayel. I reckon a near peak Usyk would outpoint him but those body shots look nasty. The risk-reward probably doesn't add up.

So you think he will duck Kabayel?

He will take the fight that pays most