Oleksandr Usyk: Champion wants Deontay Wilder as his next opponent

Oleksandr Usyk, the current unified heavyweight world champion, has named Deontay Wilder as his first choice opponent for his next fight. The Ukrainian boxer, 38, wants to face the former WBC world champion in a highly anticipated bout that promises to be a clash of styles between two of the biggest names in boxing.

Usyk, who recently defeated Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium to become a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion, is eager to test his skills against Wilder. The American, 40, has struggled since his trilogy with Tyson Fury, but Usyk still views him as a formidable opponent.

"I want to fight Deontay Wilder," Usyk said in an interview. "I think it's interesting." Wilder, who was once considered one of the most feared punchers in the division, has been struggling since his loss to Fury. However, Usyk believes that Wilder is still a world-class opponent and sees this fight as an opportunity to prove his skills.

Wilder has been inactive for over a year, and his recent performances have been lackluster. However, Usyk remains confident in his ability to stop the American. "He is a world champion guy," Usyk said. "One of the great heavyweights of the last 10 years."

The fight between Usyk and Wilder could potentially happen as early as next year. However, several other fights are still scheduled for various organizations, including the WBC, IBF, and WBA. It's unclear how these events will affect Usyk's plans, but he is committed to facing Wilder in the near future.

Usyk has previously stated that he plans to retire from boxing after four more years of competition. However, this latest development suggests that his exit strategy may be accelerated if a deal can't be reached with Wilder or another opponent.

idk about this fight , deontay wilder has been inactive for like over a year and he's just been struggling to get back in the game ... oleksandr usyk is doing great btw, just won that dubois fight at wembley stadium . i think usyk might be setting himself up for a fall if he goes in against wilder without giving him some time to work on his skills . plus, has anyone seen wilder's last few fights? ... i'm calling BS on this whole thing

I think this fight between Usyk and Wilder is gonna be EPIC . Both guys are legends in the sport, and their styles complement each other perfectly. Usyk's slick boxing skills will clash with Wilder's raw power, making for a real barnburner of a fight . Plus, it'll be interesting to see how Wilder bounces back from his recent struggles . The fact that Usyk is willing to face him so soon shows just how confident he is in his abilities . Can't wait to see the drama unfold as these two giants of boxing go head-to-head!

I think it's awesome that Usyk is going after Deontay Wilder! Like, who wouldn't wanna see these two heavyweights go at each other? It'll be such an epic clash of styles - Usyk's quickness and footwork against Wilder's raw power. And honestly, I still think Wilder's got some fire left in him . He might not be as dominant as he once was, but he's still a force to be reckoned with.

I'm also loving that Usyk is being so chill about it all . Like, the guy just wants to test his skills and prove himself - no need for all the drama and hype. And I think it's cool that he's already talking about retiring after four more years... that way, we know exactly how many fights he's got left in him .

Anyway, can't wait to see these two go at it!

I'm lowkey hyped about this potential fight between Usyk and Wilder! Both guys are legends in the ring and it's gonna be sick to see them go head-to-head. Usyk's speed and agility vs Wilder's power and aggression is a recipe for an epic battle . I've been following both fighters for years, and I think this fight could be one of the most exciting of 2025 . Plus, it'll be interesting to see how Wilder bounces back from his recent struggles . Either way, can't wait to tune in and watch these two warriors go at it !

So like I was thinking Deontay Wilder is an interesting choice for Oleksandr Usyk's next fight but also kinda lowkey worried how it's gonna play out, especially since Wilder has been inactive and hasn't had the best performances recently . Still Usyk seems pretty confident in his abilities and I gotta respect that , he's been on a roll lately and just won the title at Wembley which was a huge win for him . But I mean what if Wilder's not as bad as we think? maybe this fight will be more competitive than expected... and if it doesn't happen next year it might get even worse before it gets better .

Omg what's good with Wilder right now tho? like 1 year inactive and still thinking he's the man , Usyk's gonna have to bring some serious heat just to prove his skills. and honestly, I think Deontay's been relying on his power for too long, he needs a style change ASAP , but if it means facing off against one of the best pound-for-pound boxers in the world then so be it... Usyk's gonna come out swinging

Dude, I'm all for Usyk vs Wilder! It's gonna be a wild ride , and we need to see how these two beasts clash in the ring . I know Wilder has been struggling lately, but Usyk is always on point . He's proven himself time and again as one of the best heavyweights out there . This fight could be a turning point for Wilder too - if he can take down Usyk, that'd be massive . I'm also intrigued to see how this will affect Usyk's plans for retirement . Will he stick to his guns and retire after four years or is this fight gonna push him to reconsider? Either way, it's gonna be a thrilling ride!

I'm telling you, Deontay Wilder's been struggling for way too long . He was once the baddest man on the planet, but now he's just kinda...meh . I think Oleksandr Usyk is making a huge mistake by wanting to fight him next, though. I mean, have you seen Wilder's last few fights? The guy can't even land a solid punch anymore . And don't even get me started on his training camp - that guy looks like he's been living off of fast food and Netflix binges . Meanwhile, Usyk is still active, still dominating, and still looking for the perfect opponent to test himself against. I'd rather see him go after someone like Tyson Fury or even Anthony Joshua - those guys are still relevant in the sport!

OMG I'm super hyped for this fight!!! Usyk vs Wilder is gonna be EPIC ! Both guys are legends in their own right, and it's crazy to think about the two styles clashing. Usyk's slickness vs Wilder's brute force... it's a match made in heaven . Can't wait for the big one to happen next year! Fingers crossed they can make it work

I don't get why Usyk wants to fight Wilder so badly . Wilder's been pretty slow lately and hasn't done much of anything in the ring . I mean, Usyk just beat this other guy Daniel Dubois and became a two-time champ, what more proof does he need that he can take down anyone?

And to be honest, I think it's kinda weird that Wilder is still considered a top opponent after losing to Fury . I know they're both big names in boxing, but shouldn't Wilder have retired by now?

I'm not sold on this matchup. Usyk is known for his slickness and jab, but Wilder's power has been unpredictable throughout his career. I'd love to see both guys face more opponents first, especially in a high-profile bout before throwing down the gauntlet like this. What if they're just setting themselves up for an easy loss? Usyk seems too confident, and Wilder's recent performances have been underwhelming. Not that I'm saying these fights won't be entertaining, but it feels like a mismatch waiting to happen...

I gotta say, I'm low-key excited about Usyk vs Wilder ... like, I know Wilder's had some tough times since his loss to Fury, but Usyk thinks he's still got it ? And I think that's a fair point - the guy's been on a tear lately and has proven himself to be one of the best in the division. But at the same time, I'm not sure if Wilder's gonna be able to give him the challenge he needs ... maybe Usyk's just trying to get that big payday ? Either way, it'll be a fun fight to watch, and I'm all about seeing these guys go at it

I'm low-key intrigued by Usyk's choice . On one hand, he's basically begging for a fight against someone who's been struggling since his loss to Fury . But at the same time, Usyk still sees Wilder as a top-notch opponent and is willing to take on the risks . It'll be interesting to see how this plays out - if Wilder can get his mojo back , it could be an epic battle . On the other hand, if Wilder's still struggling... well, we might just witness a Usyk coronation . Either way, it's gonna be a wild ride !

omg what's next!! deontay wilder is like the ultimate test for usyk i mean have you seen their fight vids?? wilder's punches are insane but usyk's speed & agility would give him an edge plus usyk's got 2x world titles on his belt, so what's to lose?

Usyk's got game on Wilder! He's all about proving himself as the best, and I'm hyped to see it go down!

idk why people think usyk should fight wilder tho ... like, i get it, wilder's a legend and all, but usyk's already got the title ... why mess around? let him pick someone else for once

I think Usyk is crazy for wanting to fight Wilder right now - the guy's been inactive for ages and his form has been really poor lately . Like, we get it, you want to prove yourself against a legend, but can't you wait a bit longer? Meanwhile, other big names are still waiting in the wings and Usyk's got some unfinished business with those guys too

This fight between Usyk and Wilder is like the ultimate showdown – it's a clash of titans! On one hand, you got the undefeated Ukrainian powerhouse who's dominating the heavyweight division, and on the other side, you got the American legend who was once feared by all. It's like Obama vs Trump in politics - two strong leaders going head-to-head.

But, just like how we saw in the US presidential elections, it's not always about being the strongest or the most powerful. Sometimes, it's about strategy and adapting to your opponent's moves. I think Usyk needs to study Wilder's style and find a way to exploit his weaknesses. If he can do that, this fight could be a masterclass in boxing.

And let's talk about the timing of this fight - is it just a coincidence that Usyk wants to face Wilder before he retires from boxing? Is he trying to make a statement before he hangs up his gloves? It's like how some politicians retire early and then come back to politics later, saying they're just taking a break. Whatever the reason, I'm excited to see this fight happen!

omg i think usyk's choice is super interesting! deontay wilder has been having a bit of a rough patch lately but i still think he's gonna bring out the best in usyk. their styles are so different it'll be a real clash of titans and i love how confident usyk is about stopping wilder he's definitely proven himself to be one of the top heavyweights around, winning that fight against dubois was insane! what do you guys think?