Deontay Wilder eyes fight with Oleksandr Usyk in 2026

Deontay Wilder's manager, Shelly Finkel, confirmed that the combat with Usyk is a apical precedence for 2026. Usyk was expected to support his titles against Fabio Wardley, aft the Brit defeated Joseph Parker successful the last eliminator to gain mandatory challenger status.

However, the Ukrainian decided to permission the belt, which helium described arsenic a "business decision", due to the fact that determination were much profitable offers connected his table. Oleksandr past revealed that his perfect archetypal enactment for the adjacent combat is the erstwhile WBC heavyweight champion, Wilder.

This amazed galore due to the fact that the "Bronze Bomber" was not successful the signifier helium had earlier successful his past performances, with lone 1 triumph since 2022. Still, Wilder is acceptable to judge the challenge. Finkel told Sky Sports: "Usyk is simply a large champion. We person plans for adjacent twelvemonth and we would similar Usyk to beryllium portion of those plans. If we get the close offer, we are unfastened to that fight."

Mutual interest

There is communal involvement and it is apt that negotiations could statesman soon. Wilder has antecedently mentioned that helium could motion a declaration for February, but the Ukrainian champion emphasizes that helium needs much clip earlier returning to the ring.

“For me, Usyk is simply a apical fighter. If the combat happens, it volition beryllium a challenge, but I americium acceptable to springiness my all,” said Wilder. On the different hand, Usyk revealed: “My program for adjacent twelvemonth is clear. I privation to combat the best, and Wilder is decidedly 1 of them.”

Fans astir the satellite are already speculating astir the day and determination of the fight. And portion Wilder is trying to regain his aged signifier and confidence, Oleksandr is cautiously choosing an hostile for his instrumentality to the ringing aft his caller challenges.

This imaginable combat could beryllium 1 of the astir watched successful 2026, with precocious expectations from the nationalist and the media. Given the estimation of some fighters, each determination and announcement is cautiously monitored, and the announced lucifer promises to beryllium a spectacle.