Unified heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk has named Deontay Wilder as his “first choice” for his next fight.
The Ukrainian stopped Londoner Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium in July to become a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion.
Usyk, 38, then vacated his WBO belt, prompting Britain’s Fabio Wardley to be upgraded from ‘interim’ to full champion.
“I’m going to continue fighting next year. I want to fight Deontay Wilder. I think it’s interesting,” he told Boxing King Media.
Wilder, a former WBC world champion and at one time the division’s most dangerous puncher, has been struggling since his trilogy with Tyson Fury.
The American’s stock fell after back-to-back stoppage losses to Joseph Parker in 2023 and Zilei Zhang in 2024.
After being out for more than a year, the 40-year-old Wilder returned in June with a narrow seventh-round knockout of little-known Tyrell Anthony Herndon.
Despite that decline, Usyk still views ‘The Bronze Bomber’ as a dominant name.
“He’s a world champion guy. A very famous and strong guy,” Usyk said.
“One of the great legends of the last 10 years. I spoke to my team and said he is the first option.”
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