Deontay Wilder and Oleksandr Usyk have already discussed a potential fight after crossing paths in New York, according to Wilder’s longtime manager Shelly Finkel. The two heavyweights met during the Ring Magazine awards in Manhattan, where Finkel says the conversation was friendly and left the door open for a future showdown.
Finkel revealed that Usyk had been calling out Wilder toward the end of 2025, but by the time those calls intensified, Wilder was already committed to an April 4 fight with Derek Chisora. Even so, discussions between Wilder’s camp and Usyk’s team have continued. “Usyk and Deontay spoke at the Ring dinner the other night,” Finkel said. “They spoke very friendly and hopefully they’re going to meet.”
Usyk, 39, is nearing the end of his career and has already beaten Anthony Joshua twice, along with Tyson Fury and Daniel Dubois. According to Finkel, Wilder remains the one major name missing from Usyk’s résumé. “Look, Deontay is the only big name left that Usyk hasn’t fought,” he said, adding that the Ukrainian great wants the bout before it’s too late.
For Wilder, the focus remains on Chisora first. The former WBC champion must come through that April assignment before turning his attention to bigger options. “Derek is a tough fight,” Finkel said. “But if he comes through the way I think he will we’ll be looking at Usyk - or you never know, maybe finally Joshua. Or, maybe Wardley first.”
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