Deontay Wilder believes Oleksandr Usyk may have reconsidered a potential fight between them after the two heavyweights met in person.
For months, speculation had suggested that Wilder could face Usyk in a major heavyweight showdown. Instead, the two fighters are now heading in different directions. Wilder is scheduled to return to the ring on April 4 against fellow veteran Derek Chisora at The O2 Arena in London.
Usyk, meanwhile, is preparing to defend his WBC heavyweight title against kickboxing champion Rico Verhoeven on May 23 at the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt. The Ukrainian has also stated that he plans to fight the winner of Fabio Wardley vs. Daniel Dubois before completing a trilogy bout with Tyson Fury.
Speaking to Daily Mail Boxing, Wilder suggested that Usyk may have backed away from the matchup after feeling an intimidation factor when they met. However, the American said the missed opportunity does not affect his own ambitions. Wilder emphasized that his focus remains on achieving his personal goals in boxing regardless of who stands across the ring.
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