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