Oleksandr Usyk calls out former heavyweight champion for next fight: ‘He’s the first choice’
After months of speculation and rumors, Oleksandr Usyk has named the next opponent he wants to face.
The unified heavyweight champion of the world has ruled the division since his historic victory over Tyson Fury last year. The points victory made him the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis in 1999. Usyk repeated the feat later that year, although only three of the four belts were on the line.
Usyk, 24-0 (15 KOs), returned to undisputed status with an aggressive and dominant performance earlier this year in his rematch with then-IBF champion Daniel Dubois, extending his unbeaten run against British fighters to eight.
The former cruiserweight king heads into 2026 with a long line of contenders looking for a chance. Fabio Wardley now holds the WBO title after Usyk vacated it, but the Briton is not part of the Ukrainian’s immediate plans. Speaking to Boxing King Media, Usyk revealed who he is – Deontay Wilder.
“I keep fighting next year. I want to fight Deontay Wilder. I think it’s interesting.”
Wilder, 44-4-1 (43 KO), is one of the most fearsome punchers in the heavyweight division and held the WBC title from 2015 to 2020. ‘The Bronze Bomber’ tore apart his opponents with atomic right hands, but was beaten by Tyson Fury in their rematch – after Fury somehow recovered from heavy knockdowns during the ninth and twelfth rounds of their first fight.
The old Wilder seemed like a distant memory after losing on points to Joseph Parker and then being stopped in five rounds by Zhilei Zhang last year. Usyk explained why he still wants the fight.
“He’s a world champion guy. He’s a very famous guy. He’s a strong guy. One of the great heavyweights of the last 10 years. I talk about it with my team and say it’s the first option.”
Wilder’s reputation soared during his trilogy with Fury, with their knockdown-filled third encounter widely considered one of the greatest heavyweight fights of the modern era.
