Usyk Vs. Wilder Voluntary Defense

WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman has formally authorized Oleksandr Usyk’s request for a voluntary title defense against Deontay Wilder.

This pursuit follows Usyk’s repeated victories over the division’s other big names, Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury. If the deal closes, it will be Usyk’s first time boxing in the United States since his 2019 triumph against Chazz Witherspoon. Usyk is coming off a unanimous decision win over Daniel Dubois last year, which made him the undisputed heavyweight champion for the second time. However, he chose to vacate his WBO belt rather than face Fabio Wardley.

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“First of all, it’s the USA — I want to box in America. Secondly, Wilder has been at the top for the last 10 years. This is about sporting interest. In the “big three,” there were Joshua, Fury, and Wilder. I beat Joshua twice, I beat Fury twice, and one unbeaten one remains — Wilder," Usyk stated

WBC Responds

The "Bronze Bomber" has gained a path to Usyk’s unified belts thanks to a green light from the WBC. Although Wilder has only won twice in his last six bouts, the organization has ruled that his half-decade reign as WBC champion makes him a valid challenger. Currently sitting at the number 13 spot in their rankings, the American is now sanctioned to step back into the title picture.

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"Deontay Wilder was champion for five years of the WBC. He is a tremendous force. He has great punching power. He is ranked by the WBC, so absolutely he is eligible and welcome to fight Usyk in a voluntary title defence," Sulaiman said

Fury Reacts

Despite this being the case, not everyone is pleased with Usyk’s decision. Tyson Fury has spoken about his desire to have a third fight with the Ukrainian, feeling he had won the first two fights. The Gypsy King has suggested that Usyk’s decision to face Wilder is for money. A bout against Wilder will sell out in the US, despite Deontay no longer being in his prime. Fury made his stance very clear.

"Agit’s [WBC] interim champion, so they should force Usyk to either defend or vacate. Me personally, I don’t think Usyk’s gonna fight anybody in those WBC rankings, because it doesn’t make any commercial sense. There’s no money in them fights. Is he gonna get paid for fighting Agit Kabayel? Is he gonna get paid for fighting Lawrence Okolie? No," Fury said

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