Oleksandr Usyk reveals he would like to fight Deontay Wilder next
Undefeated Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk (20-0, 13KO) reveals he would like to fight Deontay Wilder (42-2-1, 41KO) next after being snubbed by Tyson Fury, who is chasing a fight with domestic rival Anthony Joshua.
After Usyk defeated Joshua last month for a second time, all eyes turned towards an undisputed clash with Fury, but the unified champion asked not to be rushed and looked towards setting up a date in the first quarter of 2023. Fury then called out Joshua for a December showdown and now the parties are in the middle of negotiations which have been placed on hold out of respect to Her Majesty the Queen, while the nation mourns her passing.
Usyk's manager blasted the 'Gypsy King' for being afraid of the Ukrainian and choosing to fight AJ instead, but has revealed that he already has another opponent lined up for early 2023.
"I’m not p***** off at all (about Fury deciding to fight Joshua). The bigger problem is Tyson Fury is not letting fans see one of the best historical bouts in boxing history, Usyk told Ring TV.
"That’s his fault. Not mine. Tyson Fury can fight whoever he wants to fight."
When pushed on who he would like to fight next, Usyk replied: "Deontay Wilder".
He added, "Wilder is a dangerous fighter, and that fight would most likely be in the United States."
Wilder is set to face the 'Nordic Nightmare' Robert Helenius (31-3, 20KO) in October in Brooklyn as part of an eliminator for the WBC belt he held for five years between 2015-2020. Usyk plans to be at ringside to get a closer look at his potential next opponent.
Meanwhile, Usyk's manager Egis Klimas has backed Usyk's decision to stay active by targeting Wilder as he does not want to see Fury hold up his fighter's career. He also claimed the Brit is avoiding Usyk because he is 'afraid' of the Ukrainian.
"Usyk is the heavyweight world champion and look how many statements Fury has made these last few months, he’s retiring, he’s not retiring, he’s fighting Usyk, he’s not Usyk, and now he’s fighting Joshua, you really don’t know what Fury is going to do next," Klimas said.
In the midst of all this, Fury also sent contracts to former rival Dereck Chisora to complete their trilogy but the offer was rejected instantly.
"If you look in his past at everything that happened, Fury always caused a problem when it came to getting an undisputed world champion. He’s unpredictable."
"What happens when Joshua beats his a**? What will happen next? They will go to a rematch, which will push back the chance to have an undisputed world champion. I think Fury is most likely afraid of Usyk. Why does he run away from Usyk? Why? Because Fury sees danger in Usyk.
"Usyk wanted to fight Fury by the end of the year. You know what, we’re not running after him. We have three belts. He has one belt. Who cares? It’s a situation Fury created. Not Usyk. Usyk would fight Tyson Fury in his backyard. Usyk would fight anyone in their backyard.
"Usyk would like to fight Wilder, but whoever wins that fight (between Wilder and Helenius) would be next for Usyk. Usyk is not like Fury. He’s looking for the winners not looking for the losers."
