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ANALYTICAL: WHY OLEKSANDR USYK WILL FIGHT DEONTAY WILDER OVER MANDATORY FOES

After conquering Joshua and Fury, Usyk is eyeing the last great heavyweight of his era, Deontay Wilder, for what could be his final blockbuster fight before retirement.

Analytical: Why Oleksandr Usyk Will Fight Deontay Wilder Over Mandatory Foes
Usyk Wants One Last Great Name

After a truly great career, Oleksandr Usyk has his sights set on one more heavyweight bout.

Back in 2019, when Usyk moved to heavyweight, Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury, and Deontay Wilder were the top dogs. Joshua had a brief setback against Andy Ruiz Jr. but quickly bounced back to reclaim his titles.

Usyk then took those belts from Joshua just two fights into his heavyweight stint and cemented his dominance in the rematch. After becoming the undisputed champ by defeating Fury, only one big name from that era remains.

Usyk is eyeing Deontay Wilder next, especially since he was stripped of his title.

As the 2010s wrapped up and the 2020s started, Wilder was seen as the hardest hitter and most feared champ in the heavyweight division. With a record of 40-0 and 39 KOs, Wilder almost knocked out Fury, but Fury somehow recovered and managed a draw.

Since that first fight with Fury, things haven't gone so well for Wilder, as his weaknesses became clear. He had two fights before his second clash with Fury, but Fury knocked him out in early 2020.

Since then, Fury stopped him again in their third fight. After a brutal knockout of Robert Helenius, Wilder suffered two more losses. Joseph Parker beat him easily, and Zhilei Zhang knocked him down within five rounds.

Even with all that, Usyk wants to give Wilder another shot at a title, saying, I want to fight Deontay Wilder. I think it’s interesting.

He added, He’s a world champion, a very famous and strong guy. He is one of the great heavyweights of the last 10 years.”

CRUISERWEIGHT CHALLENGE: RYAN ROZICKI TELLS JAI OPETAIA TO "STAY GROUNDED" AFTER STRUGGLE

Ring No. 4 contender Ryan Rozicki calls out Jai Opetaia, warning the champion that overconfidence and fighting "weaker opponents" will lead to his downfall.

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Rozicki Rips Opetaia’s Performance

Ryan Rozicki's Message to Jai Opetaia: Stay Grounded

Jai Opetaia, the Ring and IBF champion, recently secured his fourth straight knockout victory by defeating Huseyin Cinkara in eight rounds. This win wraps up a busy year for Opetaia, during which he defended his title three times.

Ryan Rozicki, a Canadian contender, acknowledges Opetaia's achievements and his position as the top cruiserweight.

However, Rozicki, who is ranked No. 4 by The Ring, thinks he would be a much tougher opponent than those Opetaia has faced recently.

"From what I've seen, he's probably the best in the division," Rozicki told The Ring. If that fight comes my way, I'll definitely take it. He hasn't fought anyone like me. I've watched some of his fights, and he's been up against weaker opponents.

After watching Opetaia struggle early in his fight against Cinkara, Rozicki has a word of caution for him.

In my opinion, his opponent didn't look world-class, he said. He got hit and wobbled in the second round. If that were my right hand, he wouldn't have gotten up.

Opetaia's aggressive start allowed Cinkara to land a couple of right hands in the second round, which shook the champion. Opetaia expressed frustration after the fight, admitting his performance wasn't great. This may motivate him for 2026, especially given his disappointment with failed unification attempts.

It seems that overconfidence and a lack of real tests might be affecting Opetaia's recent performances, as seen when he was caught by David Nyika and even more so by Cinkara before pulling through.

Rozicki warns Opetaia to stay grounded.

"Don't believe everything you hear about yourself," he said. Be careful about what your team tells you, because you might think you're invincible, but you're probably not.

Rozicki's promoter, Daniel Otter of The Lions Promotions, is also interested in setting up a fight between Rozicki and Opetaia.

"Jai keeps saying people are avoiding him," Otter said. I think people have been avoiding Ryan, too, so if Jai is serious, Ryan is ready to fight him.

ANDREW TATE'S RESPECT: HE CALLS JAKE PAUL VS. ANTHONY JOSHUA INTERESTING AMIDST WEIGHT CLAUSE CHAOS

Andrew Tate respects Jake Paul for fighting Anthony Joshua but is criticised by opponent Chase DeMoor for a controversial 'under 200lb' weight clause in their Misfits bout.

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Tate's Return and Paul vs. AJ Set Up Critical Boxing Week.

Andrew Tate thinks Jake Paul's fight with Anthony Joshua will be interesting.

Paul and Joshua are set to fight in Miami next Friday in a heavyweight match that's getting a lot of criticism. The next night, Tate will box Misfits heavyweight champ Chase DeMoor in Dubai. This marks Tate's return to the ring after doing kickboxing.

Tate and Paul have had issues in the past, but Tate gave Paul props. "I think that night will be interesting," he told iFL TV. I respect anyone who steps into the ring. People risk their lives to entertain others. I respect Jake and AJ, and I'm glad they're getting in there. I hope they both stay safe.

One thing both fights have in common is a weight limit, even though they're both heavyweight bouts. Joshua can't weigh over 245 lb for his fight with Paul. DeMoor said Tate wanted him to weigh UNDER 200 lb, which would make it a cruiserweight fight.

If he was sure he would beat me, why is there a weight clause in a heavyweight fight? He asked. Why are we fighting under 200 pounds? Why the rehydration clause? Why is it his arena, his judges, and his referee? Why did he try to say no to my gloves? "I have to fight in house clothes," said DeMoor.

They gave me this fight in July. I agreed to whatever he wanted, just to get him in the ring. He wants the weight cut; fine. He wants the rounds; fine. He wants the gloves, the rings, and the judges. Fine, fine, fine. I didn't negotiate at all.

I'm always the underdog in every fight. People think I'll lose, but I go out there and knock them out in the first few rounds.

While Tate respects Paul and Joshua, he feels different about his opponent. "I could pick a different opponent and make more money, and people would still watch," he said. Everyone's focused on me. This fight is all about me. I've been offered more money to fight others. This is the Andrew Tate show. Face to the floor, it does not matter if he is in the ring or not... he needs to know this is my show.

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