Oleksandr Usyk targets Deontay Wilder after April win: here’s why

Oleksandr Usyk targets Deontay Wilder after April win: here’s why

Oleksandr Usyk confirmed he wants to fight Deontay Wilder next after the Ukrainian heavyweight champion outmaneuvered the division’s dwindling options. Wilder, 40, just posted his best result in years with a 12-round decision over Derek Chisora on 13 April in London.

Why Usyk sees Wilder as the perfect opponent

Usyk, who turns 40 in January, has beaten every elite heavyweight in his path except Wilder. The Ukrainian has no appetite for a risky clash with a younger contender, so Wilder-still dangerous but past his prime-fits the bill. “I want fight with Deontay,” Usyk told the WBC convention in Bangkok last December. Wilder’s power and name value make him an irresistible draw, yet he lacks the explosiveness of a 20-something titleholder.

Wilder’s late-career resurgence fuels his title hopes

Wilder’s 2-4 run in his last six fights left his legacy in tatters, but a gritty points win over Chisora changed the narrative. The 40-year-old leaned on two clichés to justify his continued run: “Age is just a number” and “The last thing to go is a fighter’s punch.” His body of work still screams knockout artist, even if his feet no longer match his fists.

What comes next for both men

Usyk must decide whether to retire while undefeated or chase one last high-profile scalp before stepping away. Wilder needs one more marquee win-or a favor from a sanctioning body-to force his way back into the title picture. The math is simple: Usyk beats Wilder, he walks away unbeaten. Wilder beats Usyk, he gets the payday he’s chased for years. Either way, both men are chasing ghosts of their primes-and neither looks ready to quit.