Oleksandr Usyk to face Deontay Wilder in what could be his final boxing match
Deontay Wilder (Photo: Getty Images)
Oleksandr Usyk has decided on his next opponent after vacating the WBA, WBC, and IBF titles. The fight will likely mark the final chapter of his career, reports Boxing Scene.
A top opponent for the final act
According to renowned promoter and Matchroom Boxing chairman Eddie Hearn, Oleksandr Usyk's next and, quite possibly, final opponent in the professional ring will be former longtime WBC champion and feared American knockout artist Deontay Wilder.
The revelation came in Brooklyn during media events ahead of a major undisputed junior middleweight title fight.
Hearn hinted that the two sides have already reached an agreement. It came just one day after the Ukrainian champion officially vacated three of his belts, allowing him to pursue high-profile and financially attractive non-title fights that personally interest him.
The desire to share the ring with Wilder fully aligns with the undefeated Ukrainian's overall strategy. Usyk aims to defeat every key and iconic heavyweight of his era. The American Bronze Bomber is currently the only elite fighter of this generation whom Oleksandr has yet to face in the ring.
A clash of veteran heavyweights
Wilder is 40 years old, while Usyk is one year younger than his future opponent. The American is widely regarded as one of the hardest punchers in modern boxing history.
Overall, Wilder has fought 50 professional bouts, winning 45 of them, with 43 victories coming by knockout. His career includes a trilogy against Britain's Tyson Fury: their first fight ended in a draw, while the Gypsy King won the following two.
Completing the mission
The Ukrainian boxer's list of victories already includes heavyweight giants such as two-time champion Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury, and Daniel Dubois. Wilder is now expected to join that elite list, after which Usyk's mission in boxing will be completely fulfilled.
For now, the exact date and venue of the epic showdown remain undisclosed, but the organizers promise an official announcement in the near future.
The first rumors about a possible fight between the two surfaced as early as last fall. However, the sides failed to reach an agreement at the time. Usyk signed to fight Dutch kickboxer Rico Verhoeven. Meanwhile, Wilder faced another veteran, Britain's Derek Chisora, defeating him by split decision.
