Deontay Wilder's long-time promoter Shelly Finkel has dropped a cryptic hint that a blockbuster heavyweight clash with unified champion Oleksandr Usyk could be on the horizon, but only if the American navigates a dangerous test against Derek Chisora first.
Usyk Camp Made Direct Approach
Speaking at a pre-fight press conference ahead of Wilder's scheduled bout with Chisora at London's O2 Arena on 4 April, Finkel confirmed that Usyk's team had recently made a direct approach regarding a potential fight. "Look, Usyk came to us recently to fight. We didn't know if that could happen, and we were on a trajectory to fight Chisora," Finkel explained, setting the stage for a high-stakes sequence of events in the division.
A Critical and Dangerous Fight First
Finkel was emphatic about the importance of the upcoming Chisora fight, calling it "a great test" and "a very dangerous fight." He expressed confidence in his fighter while acknowledging the challenge. "I believe my guy will win, but I don't think it's easy by any means," said Finkel, who has managed Wilder for over a decade. The promoter's comments strongly suggest that a loss to Chisora would likely derail any plans for a super-fight with Usyk, adding immense pressure to the April contest.
Usyk's Manager Confirms Wilder Interest
This revelation aligns with comments made by Usyk's manager, Egis Klimas, back in December. Klimas stated that a fight with Wilder was "very likely" and had initially been targeted for "the end of April, beginning of May." He highlighted Wilder's credentials and market appeal, noting, "Wilder is one of the best names Oleksandr didn't face yet. He's still in good shape, and he's still a fighter, so he's interesting. And as well, it's the United States."
Klimas also asserted that Usyk, the current unified champion, "has at least two more years" at the top level, keeping the door open for future marquee matchups.
Everything Hinges on April's Outcome
The path to a Wilder-Usyk showdown now appears entirely contingent on the result at the O2 Arena. Usyk has been granted a voluntary title defence, leaving his immediate schedule flexible, but it remains unclear if he would wait specifically for Wilder. Conversely, speculation suggests Wilder could even consider retirement should he suffer a defeat to Chisora, making this a pivotal moment in his career.
For Chisora, this fight represents a monumental occasion as his 50th and final professional bout. The 42-year-old Briton aims to conclude his long career on home soil following his surprising victory over Otto Wallin in his last outing, hoping to play spoiler to Wilder's championship ambitions.
The heavyweight landscape is poised for a significant shift this spring, with Wilder's performance against Chisora set to determine whether one of the most tantalising fights in boxing moves from cryptic hint to confirmed reality.
