By Barry Holbrook: Oleksandr Usyk says he wants Deontay Wilder after he takes care of Tyson Fury in early 2023.
It was originally believed that IBF/WBA/WBO heavyweight champion Usyk (20-0, 13 KOs) would fight Canelo Alvarez if he successfully defeats Fury because he said he wanted to fight the popular Mexican star.
Usyk now wants to fight former WBC champion Wilder (43-2-1, 42 KOs) after his sensational first round knockout of Robert Helenius in his comeback fight on October 15th. There would be a lot of interest from the boxing world in a Usyk vs. Wilder fight.
The main problem with putting a Usyk-Wilder fight together is that there would be huge pressure put on Usyk to give Fury a rematch if he beats him.
Fans would want to see a second clash between the two fighters, and a lot of money would be offered to Usyk.
Moreover, it’s reasonable to assume that Fury’s co-promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank, will insert a rematch clause in the contract with Usyk that would force him to give Tyson a second fight immediately if he defeats him.
“Tyson Fury, you’re a baracha [a person who drinks alcohol],” said Oleksandr Usyk to ESNEWS.
“After I get rid of Tyson Fury, then we’re going to talk to Deontay Wilder.”
“He didn’t fight for so long. He was out of the ring, taking time, relaxing, spending time with his family,” said Usyk’s manager Alex Krassyuk to ESNEWS when asked why Fury hasn’t already fought Usyk.
“He [Fury] didn’t take the first chance a year ago. So now he says, ‘I offered him a fight.’ The offer came from Saudi, which we committed with. With Fury was already offered the fight for the undisputed.
“Dillian Whyte was ready to step aside. Anthony Joshua was ready to step aside. Everything was done to make it [Usyk vs. Fury] last February. I can’t say he was scared, but I heard the rumors that he got the advice not to step in that early [against Usyk].
“Usyk is the man of skills. He’s not a man of power. He has power, but it’s not his main asset. Boxing IQ, speed, skills.
“Absolutely,” said Krassyuk when asked if he likes Usyk vs. Deontay Wilder. “There’s no difference in weight. The same weight guys. The speed is going to be the same.”
