After months of speculation and rumour, Oleksandr Usyk has named the opponent he wants to face next.
The unified world heavyweight champion has ruled the division since his history-making win over Tyson Fury last year. That 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 at stake.
Usyk, 24-0 (15 KOs), regained 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 queue of contenders seeking a shot. Fabio Wardley now holds the WBO strap after Usyk vacated it, but the Brit is not in the Ukrainian’s immediate plans. Speaking to Boxing King Media, Usyk revealed who is — Deontay Wilder.
“I continue fight next year. I want fight with Deontay Wilder. I think it’s interesting.”
Wilder, 44-4-1 (43 KOs), is one of the heavyweight division’s most fearsome punchers and held the WBC title from 2015 to 2020. “The Bronze Bomber” tore through opponents with his atomic right hand, but was beaten by Tyson Fury in their rematch — after Fury had somehow risen from heavy knockdowns in rounds nine and 12 of their first bout.
The Wilder of old looked 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.
“This is world champion guy. This is very famous guy. This is strong guy. One of great heavyweights last 10 years. I speak with my team and I say this is 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.
