POWER VS PRECISION: DEONTAY WILDER CONFIRMS TALKS FOR SHOCK 2026 FIGHT WITH OLEKSANDR USYK
Deontay Wilder confirmed to talkSPORT that negotiations for a 2026 fight with Oleksandr Usyk are "real." Usyk, who dropped his WBO title, chose Wilder for a massive payday.
Deontay Wilder told talkSPORT that he's in talks for a fight with Oleksandr Usyk.
Usyk reclaimed the undisputed title after his win against Daniel Dubois in July, but chose to give up his WBO belt after being told to fight Fabio Wardley.
This choice allowed the Ukrainian to pick his next opponent, and he decided to call out Wilder, the American known for his punching power.
This surprised many, who thought Usyk might face a top contender or pursue a third fight with Tyson Fury.
Wilder has only one win since 2023, and some have suggested he should retire.
However, the American boxer still pulls in big crowds, and his powerful right hand is still seen as one of the division's most dangerous.
Both teams said they want to make the fight happen in 2026.
Wilder, speaking from Dubai before Pulev vs Gassiev, told talkSPORT that negotiations are underway.
The chat is real, Wilder said to talkSPORT's White & Jordan at the 2025 IBA Men’s Boxing World Championship.
Boxing is a job, but deals can fall apart. Right now, we are talking about that fight, yes.
I'm looking forward to it. Once I know the details, I'll be ready to go.
I'm excited about the possibility, and I'll start camp when things are clearer.
The chances of these two meeting in the ring are getting better every day.
Usyk will likely be the favourite, given his success and Wilder's recent struggles.
However, the fight could still create a lot of money and interest, even though they are at different points in their careers.
Wilder's Thoughts on Usyk's Challenge
Most boxing fans were surprised by Usyk's direct call to fight Wilder.
But Wilder thinks it was going to happen eventually, due to his recent losses against Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang.
About Usyk's call-out, he said, I wasn't surprised; I was half and half.
I don't often get chances because of my power.
The power makes it harder, but after losing, people get brave.
Strangely, you get more chances when you lose. When I was winning, I didn't get as many.
When and Where Could Usyk vs. Wilder Happen?
Wilder didn't share many details about the fight contract during his talkSPORT interview.
He is a big star in the US, so Las Vegas, a popular fight location, could be a good choice for the event.
Wilder had mentioned signing a contract for a fight in January, but that is unlikely to happen now.
The fight will probably take place later next year to give them enough time to prepare.
Wilder last fought in June, defeating Tyrrell Herndon, and Usyk is currently recovering from an injury.
HOW DANIEL DUBOIS SURVIVED TWO KNOCKDOWNS TO STOP A BLOODY FABIO WARDLEY
"I had to dig deep." Read Daniel Dubois' full reaction to his stunning comeback victory against Fabio Wardley in Manchester.
The punch that changed everything wasn't thrown by either of the fighters.
Fabio Wardley came out blazing in his title defence, dropping Daniel Dubois just 10 seconds in. He did it again in the third round, making it look like his big night. But then, something strange happened. As Dubois got up after the fourth round, his trainer, Don Charles, slapped him hard on both cheeks.
That’s when Dubois woke up. “I had to make him realise what he needed to do,” Charles said afterwards. It’s not exactly the kind of thing you see at team-building seminars, but it worked. Dubois turned on, and suddenly Wardley’s reign started to unravel.
Wardley had picked Dubois for the first fight since collecting the WBO belt that Oleksandr Usyk dropped. Honestly, it looked like a smart pick: he dropped Dubois twice and set the tone. But after that slap, Dubois started seeing Wardley’s moves coming; those wild lunges became easier to dodge.
He landed his stiff jab and followed up with savage right hands. Wardley’s jaw somehow took the hits, but his nose was pouring blood, and his right eye was almost swollen shut. He kept pushing forward, showing crazy heart, while Dubois just kept piling on. The fight turned into a brutal spectacle, the kind you can’t look away from.
Wardley got checked twice by doctors but kept fighting. Honestly, it could've stopped before the second-to-last round, when referee Howard Foster finally stepped in. Dubois got his second world title; Wardley, battered and worn, just managed a thumbs up to his mum.
Dubois summed it up later: “I had to dig really deep. When you’re a warrior, you go to dark places. I was nervous at first, all over the place, and had to fight my own battles. That slap woke me up. My dad and everyone were in my corner; I couldn’t let them down.
“Fabio came to fight; he was tough. We were exhausted; it was a real war. I had to use all my skills to win. Great fight, great battle, and I’m No. 1 again.” Sure, Usyk might argue about that, but Dubois proved something; he got up off the canvas and won.
People have called Dubois a quitter since the Joe Joyce fight six years ago. Wardley himself thought Dubois would fold again in Manchester, and for three rounds it looked like he was right until reality snapped Dubois awake.
HEARN HITS BACK: CONTRACT DISPUTE THREATENS DANA WHITE’S MASSIVE FURY VS AJ PROMOTION
"This year is the busiest of my career." Read Dana White’s full statement on promoting the Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua fight.
Dana White is set to take the lead as promoter for the upcoming clash between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.
After a long wait, Fury and Joshua will finally face off later this year in what promises to be a major British heavyweight showdown.
The fight is lined up to happen, provided both fighters navigate their respective warm-up bouts first. Joshua is expected to step into the ring against Kristian Prenga on July 25.
This event is shaping up to be massive, with the fighters’ usual promoters, Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren, continuing to represent them.
Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh will be backing the event financially, and it’s slated to be broadcast live on Netflix.
In a surprising move, Dana White from Zuffa Boxing has announced he’ll be the one promoting the fight.
White said, “This year is hands down the busiest of my career. I’m travelling widely, fully focused on Zuffa Boxing, signing fighters and putting on solid fights. We’ve also struck a deal with Sky in the UK, so look out for quality matchups there. And yeah, I’ll be promoting the Tyson Fury vs AJ fight.”
His role doesn’t come without complications, though, especially since Hearn and Warren are often viewed as rivals.
Tensions between White and Hearn have been rising recently, particularly after White signed Conor Benn, which didn’t sit well with Hearn.
White’s ability to lead this event comes largely through Alalshikh’s backing, who has been a key financial supporter of the UFC Boxing initiative.
Unsurprisingly, Eddie Hearn responded sharply to White’s announcement.
Calling White a clout chaser, Hearn dismissed the idea as contractually impossible and challenged White to back his words.
With this level of friction, things might get even more heated in the weeks ahead.
No official date or venue has been announced yet for the fight, but there’s hope among fans that it will take place in the UK.
