Deontay Wilder could be about to be catapulted right back into world title contention despite being out of the picture for a couple of years.
‘The Bronze Bomber’ was previously a long-ruling WBC champion who knocked out every man he faced in his first 39 fights, until he drew with Tyson Fury and was then stopped in the two ensuing fights in their trilogy.
Since then, he has also been beaten on points by Joseph Parker and stopped inside five rounds by Zhilei Zhang back in 2024, though did register a comeback KO victory back in June against Tyrell Herndon.
Earlier this week, he was given a route back to the top when two-time undisputed heavyweight ruler Oleksandr Usyk said he would be keen to fight the American.
The fight has now got one step closer as the WBC have granted Usyk the right to make a voluntary defence against Wilder, as president Mauricio Sulaiman told Sky Sports.
“Deontay Wilder is ranked No 8 or 9 so he’s eligible to challenge Oleksandr Usyk if they wish to do so. Usyk did petition for a voluntary defence which was granted today.”
A spokesperson for the IBF has also cleared the way.
“The IBF is not next in the rotation. It would only become an issue for us if he were due to make a mandatory defence of his IBF title.”
Wilder would be a huge name on the record of Usyk, who is a naturally small man for the heavyweight division, having first campaigned at cruiserweight, where he also became an undisputed champion.
