Oleksandr Usyk wants to defend his world heavyweight title against Deontay Wilder, who would welcome a fight with the unified champion.
The Ukrainian fighter has broken his silence about what’s next for his career, making it clear that he wants to face Wilder for the WBC, WBA and IBF belts.
Usyk has been away from the ring since stopping Daniel Dubois in a rematch in July, but the two-time undisputed heavyweight champion of the world has targeted the American, the long-reigning WBC champion.
“I want to fight Deontay Wilder. I think that would be interesting,” Usyk told Boxing King Media at the WBC tournament in Thailand.
Wilder would welcome a fight with Usyk
“This is a world champion guy, a very famous guy, a strong guy.
“He’s one of the great heavyweights of the last 10 years.”
Wilder, who returned to the ring in June by stopping Tyrrell Anthony Herndon in seven rounds, would be open to a fight with Usyk.
“Usyk is a great champion,” Wilder’s co-manager Shelley Finkel told Sky Sports.
“We have plans for next year and we want Oleksandr Usyk to be part of it.
“If I receive the right offer, I will take that fight.”
Ten years after defeating Berman Stiverne to become the WBC champion in January 2015, the Alabama fighter could get another chance to become a world champion.
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Watch the highlights of Oleksandr Usyk’s stunning knockout victory over Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium.
Usyk stopped Dubois in five rounds at Wembley Stadium to become the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world for the second time.
The undefeated 38-year-old vacated the WBO belt last week, with Britain’s Fabio Wardley promoted as the new WBO champion.
But Usyk has vowed to unify all four major titles again in the future, saying at the WBC tournament: “Some people say I’m no longer the undisputed champion, but well, it’s only temporary.”
