Official confirmation: Usyk to fight Widler, date and venue set
Photo: Oleksandr Usyk (Getty Images)
Ukrainian heavyweight world champion under the WBC, WBA, and IBF, Oleksandr Usyk, has officially received the right to make a voluntary defense of his World Boxing Council (WBC) title, according to the organization’s president, Mauricio Sulaiman.
WBC allows Usyk to choose opponent
According to Sulaiman, Usyk’s team submitted a request for a voluntary title defense, which the organization approved. This means the Ukrainian can independently choose his opponent without being assigned a mandatory challenger.
"Usyk did petition for a voluntary defense, which was granted today," Sulaiman said.
Why Wilder
Earlier, Usyk expressed his desire to face former world champion Deontay Wilder in the United States. WBC President Sulaiman emphasized that the American has the right to fight for the title.
"Deontay Wilder is ranked No. 8 or 9, so he's eligible to challenge Oleksandr Usyk if they wish to do so," Sulaiman said.
Currently, Wilder is ranked 13th.
IBF also does not object
As Sky Sports notes, the International Boxing Federation (IBF) also sees no obstacles to Usyk’s title fight, as it is not next in the rotation of mandatory title defenses.
"It would only become an issue for us if he were due to make a mandatory defence of his IBF title," the organization explained.
Usyk’s status allows him to choose his opponent. He currently holds the WBC, WBA, and IBF titles, but recently voluntarily gave up the WBO belt to avoid a mandatory defense against Britain’s Fabio Wardley.
Wilder’s reaction
The 40-year-old American boxer expressed surprise after hearing that Usyk wants to fight him specifically. He emphasized that he will take it seriously only after signing the contract.
At the same time, Wilder responded respectfully to Usyk’s interest, saying it is an honor to hear that the undefeated champion wants to step into the ring with him.
"I think it would be amazing if that happened. Because you know how boxing is — it’s like a diagram. One minute everything is good, then everything is bad. It may seem like everything’s come together, and then it all falls apart, like dropping through a hole in the floor. So of course, you can’t believe it until we sign contracts and until things start moving in that direction," Wilder told ESNEWS.
When and where the fight could take place
According to unofficial information, the teams of the future opponents have already held initial contacts.
Two options for timing and location are being considered: either February–March in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, or April in the United States (Las Vegas or New York).
Deontay Wilder with the WBC belt (photo: en.wikipedia.org)
Who is Deontay Wilder
The 40-year-old American professional boxer is a former WBC heavyweight world champion (2015–2020), nicknamed "The Bronze Bomber."
He is known for his powerful knockout punch: 43 of his 44 victories came by stoppage. He won a bronze medal at the 2008 Olympic Games and is considered one of the most dangerous punchers of his generation.
From 2006 to 2019, Wilder went 43 fights unbeaten (with one draw against Tyson Fury), before entering a rough patch. He lost twice to Fury, then to Joseph Parker and Zhang Zhilei.
Wilder’s most recent fight was in June 2025, when he defeated fellow American Tyrrell Herndon by technical knockout in the seventh round. This was his first victory in nearly three years.
