Deontay Wilder open to Oleksandr Usyk fight if terms align

Deontay Wilder would accept a fight against Oleksandr Usyk under the right financial terms, according to his co-manager Shelly Finkel.

Finkel told Sky Sports that the former WBC heavyweight champion sees value in facing the Ukrainian, who recently gave up his WBC, IBF and WBA belts to escape mandatory obligations. "If the terms were right, Deontay would welcome the opportunity to fight Usyk," Finkel said. "Usyk is a great champion and it would be an honour to fight him."

Why Wilder wants the Usyk fight

Wilder previously told Sky Sports that Usyk remains critical to his legacy plans. "He's one of the best in the era. I do need him to accomplish what I need to accomplish," Wilder said. The American stressed his confidence the bout would materialize. "As long as I have the confidence to do what I have to do, it will happen."

Usyk's promotional CEO Sergey Lapin suggested the former undisputed champion is unlikely to revisit a trilogy with Tyson Fury, having already beaten the Englishman twice. That leaves Wilder as one of the marquee heavyweight names still on Usyk's radar.

A Wilder-Usyk clash would likely land in the United States, though Lapin mentioned Ukraine as Usyk's dream venue if security conditions ever permit a homecoming fight.

Source: skysports.com