Deontay Wilder Open to Facing Oleksandr Usyk if Tyson Fury’s Bout Falls Through

Deontay Wilder remains open to the possibility of stepping into the ring with Oleksandr Usyk should Tyson Fury fail to honor his commitment for the Undisputed Heavyweight Championship bout. Fury recently withdrew from the scheduled February 17 showdown due to a cut sustained during sparring, marking the second time he has pulled out of a fight after a similar incident following the Francis Ngannou bout in December 2023. Reports emerged suggesting Fury had been dropped in sparring, with allegations pointing to Jai Opetaia as the one responsible, prompting Fury’s early departure from training camp after just five days. Johnny Nelson further fueled speculation by mentioning rumors of Fury struggling in sparring sessions.

The rescheduled date for the Fury-Usyk bout is now set for May 18, with Turki Alalshikh insisting on a hefty $10 million fine for either fighter should they withdraw again. In the midst of this uncertainty, Deontay Wilder has positioned himself as a potential alternative opponent for Usyk, expressing his readiness to face anyone at any time.

Wilder’s recent statements reflect a renewed dedication to the sport after experiencing a loss of passion amidst his previous success. He acknowledges the need to return to his roots as a diligent gym-goer and vows to approach his career with a renewed sense of commitment.

This isn’t the first time Wilder has been linked to Usyk, as he has previously accused the Ukrainian of avoiding a showdown with him. Despite Wilder’s reputation as a knockout artist, his recent performance against Joseph Parker fell short of expectations, resulting in a unanimous decision loss. Critics noted Wilder’s failure to effectively utilize his signature right hand, raising doubts about his ability to secure a matchup with Usyk.

Complicating matters further is Usyk’s existing rematch clause with Fury, along with the looming matchup between Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou on March 8. While Wilder may currently find himself lower in the pecking order, Usyk remains firmly on his radar as a potential future opponent.