Two-time undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk has set his sights on a blockbuster showdown with American powerhouse Deontay Wilder, aiming to complete a historic clean sweep of his era's premier fighters.
Usyk's Ambitious Hit-List Revealed
According to prominent promoter Eddie Hearn, the Ukrainian's ambition was laid bare during a recent meeting in Saudi Arabia. Hearn disclosed that when he mentioned Wilder's name, Usyk immediately agreed, expressing a clear goal. The 38-year-old champion stated his desire to face all the key fighters from his generation, naming Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury, and Deontay Wilder as the three defining stars.
"I was with Usyk in Saudi and I said Deontay Wilder and he said yes," Hearn told Sky Sports Boxing. "He made a point and said I want to fight all the people from my generation... These are the biggest names. I think he’s thinking Wilder on my resume would be nice."
Champion's Path and Wilder's Crossroads
Usyk has not fought since his commanding knockout victory over Daniel Dubois at a packed Wembley Stadium in July last year, a win that secured his status as a two-time undisputed champion. After a period of recovery, he has vowed to continue his career for at least two more years and is now back in training for a potential return this summer.
In contrast, Deontay Wilder's career is at a significant juncture. The former WBC champion, known as the 'Bronze Bomber', has experienced a turbulent few years. Following two defeats to Tyson Fury, he rebounded with a win over Robert Helenius but then suffered consecutive losses to Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang. His most recent outing was a knockout victory over Tyrrell Anthony Herndon in June, his first win in nearly three years.
Hearn, however, expressed doubts about the competitive nature of a potential Usyk-Wilder clash now. "Wilder is a big draw, but for me he’s well past his best," he assessed. "I don’t see it as an overly competitive fight."
Potential Stage: A Record-Breaking YouTube Spectacle
Intriguingly, a monumental new platform has emerged that could host such a super-fight. YouTube is planning an ambitious boxing event in San Francisco on July 11, aiming to set a world record crowd of nearly 150,000 fans at the Civic Center Plaza.
Ed Pereira, chief of event organisers IVB, confirmed they would be eager to feature a fighter of Usyk's calibre on the groundbreaking card. "Of course we’d be open to speaking to a boxer of that calibre, who wouldn’t want Usyk on their card?" Pereira stated. He emphasised the event's goal is to create a major cultural moment, leveraging YouTube's global reach to attract both hardcore and casual sports fans.
This development adds a fascinating potential venue for Usyk's planned return, whether against Wilder or another top contender, as he seeks to cement his legacy as one of the greatest heavyweights of his time.
