Deontay Wilder believes he is just one win away from challenging unified world heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk.
Wilder had a long reign as the WBC heavyweight titlist. He lost the belt to Tyson Fury in 2020 and hasn’t been able to get it back. The 40-year-old has also lost to Joseph Parker and Jirayi Zhang in recent years.
But he is confident he can get back on track and secure a showdown with the virtuoso Ukrainian, who holds the WBC, WBA and IBF titles.
“It can happen and it will happen. As long as I have the confidence to do what needs to be done, it will happen. As long as he doesn’t retire, if he does, that’s fine by me. I have to achieve what I set out at the beginning of my career,” Wilder told Sky Sports.
“Why not score a goal while you’re inside the ring? I think so. It’s an overwhelming feeling for me to unify the division. It’s something I never got.”
Usyk has previously indicated he would like to face Wilder, and that matchup seemed close. Wilder believes it’s still possible.
The American said: “I’m definitely one win away from (Usyk). I’ve been hearing a lot of things, but I haven’t really caught up. I’ve heard he wants to fight me, and then all of a sudden I hear he doesn’t want to fight me. When you’re in the boxing world, you really don’t know what to believe.”
“He’s one of the best players of our time. I need him to accomplish what I need to accomplish.”
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Derek Chisora has said his opponent Deontay Wilder will retire with him after their fight in April.
Wilder will face fellow veteran heavyweight Derek Chisora this weekend. Chisora is on a roll with wins over Otto Wallin and Joe Joyce. But Wilder is determined to prove he’s a threat.
“I always enjoy being in danger,” Wilder said. “It’s going to be a war. He’s going to feel my energy as much as I’m going to feel his energy. The first round is going to be very exciting.
“There is no one better to bring me back to where I belong.
“I’m looking forward to it. Even though it’s enemy territory, it feels like home.”
Even at his advanced age, Wilder has unfinished business in the sport.
“As you can see, Heavyweight is also boring. It’s not that the characters aren’t authentic. I’m real. How I talk, what I say is who I am,” he said.
“The heavyweight division needs me. They need a fighter with my personality and characteristics.
“Too many people try too hard. They try to be someone they are not.
“Deontay Wilder (isn’t). What you see is what you get.”
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