Oleksandr Usyk’s team has confirmed that his planned heavyweight showdown with Deontay Wilder will proceed without any further titles being vacated. Speaking exclusively to World Boxing News, Usyk adviser Sergey Lapin outlined the current direction of negotiations and emphasized that the fight is being built with both sporting logic and legacy in mind.
Lapin revealed that Wilder welcomed the opportunity, stressing the significance of facing the undefeated champion. He described Wilder’s response as highly motivated, noting that the chance to fight “the best boxer in the world” represents a serious challenge that helps move the sport forward. From Usyk’s perspective, Wilder offers both historical relevance and genuine danger.
On the issue of sanctioning, Lapin confirmed that the WBC has agreed to support the contest, following comments from WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman. According to Lapin, this approval allows Usyk to retain his current belts.
Looking beyond the immediate matchup, Lapin acknowledged that reclaiming the WBO title and pursuing another undisputed run remains a possibility, though not the only one. He highlighted the broader appeal of staging a major undisputed heavyweight fight in the United States, noting that such an event has never taken place and would represent a powerful storyline for boxing’s growth.
Image Credit: Queensberry Promotions