Heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk names surprising rival as 'first option' for next fight - 'It's interesting'
Updated 01/12/2025 at 18:59 GMT
After relinquishing his WBO belt, Oleksandr Usyk has named a surprising rival as his "first option" for his next bout. Usyk last stepped into the ring when he beat Daniel Dubois via a fifth-round knockout in July, defeating the Brit for the second time to become a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion. With Usyk vacating the WBO strap, Fabio Wardley was upgraded to world heavyweight champion.
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Unified heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk has said he wants to fight Deontay Wilder, naming the American as the "first option" for his next bout.
The Ukrainian became a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion when he stopped Daniel Dubois at Wembley in July.
The 38-year-old has since vacated his WBO belt after not proceeding with a mandatory title defence against Briton Fabio Wardley, who was upgraded from interim to full champion earlier this month.
"I continue fighting next year. I want to fight Deontay Wilder. I think it's interesting," he told Boxing King Media.
"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."
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Asked if there is anyone else on his radar, Usyk replied: "We have not spoken about this."
Wilder is a former WBC world champion, but his performances have declined since his trilogy with Tyson Fury, which took place between 2018 and 2021.
The American suffered back-to-back defeats against Joseph Parker in 2023 and Zhilei Zhang in 2024.
The 40-year-old returned to the ring after more than a year out in June, stopping Tyrrell Anthony Herndon in the seventh round.
Wilder's co-manager, Shelly Finkel, told Sky Sports that he would be "open" to the fight.
"Usyk is a great champion," Finkel said. "We have plans for next year and we'd like Oleksandr Usyk to be part of them. If we receive the right offer, we would be open to that fight."
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Usyk had been ordered by the WBO to defend his belts against the winner of the fight between Parker and Wardley in October.
But he opted to vacate the belt after Wardley claimed victory.
"This is a sport and a business. If Parker won, for me, it is interesting," Usyk said.
"If Wardley wins, for me, not interesting. I say, 'Okay, I give you [my] belt, maybe later we will fight together'.
"A big fight is the only thing on my mind."
Usyk, who has twice beaten Fury, Dubois and Anthony Joshua, previously said he plans to fight for only two more years.
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