Why would Usyk want to fight Wilder?

Unified heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk has named Deontay Wilder as the "first option" for his next fight.

"I continue fighting next year. I want to fight Deontay Wilder. I think it's interesting," he told Boxing King Media.

The American's stock plummeted after back-to-back stoppage defeats by Joseph Parker in 2023 and Zhilei Zhang in 2024.

After more than a year out, Wilder, 40, returned in June with a low-key seventh-round stoppage of little-known Tyrrell Anthony Herndon.

Despite that decline, Usyk still views 'The Bronze Bomber' as a marquee name.

"He is a world champion guy. A very famous and strong guy," Usyk said.

"One of the great heavyweights of the last 10 years. I spoke with my team and said he is the first option."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/boxing/a...s/cx2e64dyxe3o

Usyk has since vacated his WBO belt, elevating Wardley to world champion in the process. Usyk has confirmed he was interested in facing Parker but has not ruled out a future fight with Wardley.

"A win for Parker, for me it's interesting - a win for Wardley was for me not interesting," said Usyk. "Maybe later we fight together, a big fight.

"I really respect this guy because he's done a lot of work with his body and his team, training all the time. I think it's great."

Usyk is keen to win back his WBO belt, vowing to unify all four major titles again in the future.

He added: "Some people are saying I'm not undisputed champion anymore. Well, that is only temporary."

https://uk.yahoo.com/news/deontay-wi...084738352.html

easy money, easy win over one of the bigger heavyweight names in recent history

All true but no way should he get a pass for this fight. Usyk should face Kabayal, Wardley or even Itauma. Usyk fights infrequently to be allowed an easy fight. He’s better than this contest.

Easy one this ……

Usyk has fought every great and good heavyweight around. Wilder - rightly or wrongly - was one of the most feared fighters of the past decade. Shattering windmill punch power and name recognition that carries outside boxing circles. Getting Wilders name on his resume makes perfect sense.

Deontay is about 6’7” too. He will always have the equaliser which will keep eyes on screens.

Plus Wilder is pretty much shot now, and he was never much of a boxer in the first place.

id rather see Usyk fighting Wilder than Jake Paul.

This fight makes perfect sense for Oleksander.