Deontay Wilder could be on the verge of signing a huge fight with the hardest possible challenge in the heavyweight division.
Wilder is a former long-reigning champion who has one of the most fearsome right hands in all of boxing. At one stage, after 44 fights, he had knocked out every man he had ever faced.
Tyson Fury was the first man to take him the distance when the pair drew in December 2018, then he was stopped twice in their next two fights in 2020 and 2021.
After that, he was also beaten by both Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang and has fought just twice in the two years since, beating Tyrell Herndon, then getting a split decision over veteran Derek Chisora last time out in April.
Speaking on DAZN, promoter Eddie Hearn has claimed he has heard that Oleksandr Usyk is now set to take on ‘The Bronze Bomber’ in his last ever fight.
“As I understand it, Usyk will fight Wilder next. He wants to do what he wants to do, I guess, and have one more in the sun, and now the contenders are going to get their shots… If you know you know.”
Usyk is history’s first-ever two-time undisputed champion in the four-belt era and he remains unbeaten. He has just vacated the three remaining world titles he held in order to be able to choose his own opposition for what he says will be one final showdown.
It seems that Wilder may be that man, with the Ukrainian having previously sated stated his interest in the fight, but he instead took on former kickboxing champion Rico Herhoeven and almost came unstuck, though rescued a win with a late, if not controversial, KO.
