Derek Chisora claims he knows who Oleksandr Usyk is fighting next instead of Deontay Wilder

Derek Chisora is close to finalising a deal with Deontay Wilder, leaving Oleksandr Usyk without an opponent.

The Ukrainian had been locked into negotiations with Wilder before the American opted to face Chisora instead.

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Wilder and Chisora are set to square off in London on April 4, in an event promoted by Kalle and Nisse Sauerland.

While Usyk may feel a little disappointed that the rug has been pulled out from underneath him, Chisora insists the unified WBA, WBC and IBF heavyweight champion has another exciting opportunity on the horizon.

“Right now, I’m hearing Usyk is fighting the Mexican kid Andy Ruiz in Vegas,” Chisora told talkSPORT’s White and Jordan on Thursday.

Andy Ruiz Jr hasn’t set foot in the ring since August 2024, when he was held to a contentious draw with Jarrell Miller in Los Angeles.

He sustained a fractured hand during the contest, which required surgery to fix.

Following a lengthy rehabilitation process, ‘The Destroyer’ returned to the gym five months ago with the view to launching a comeback in 2026.

Ruiz Jr has reunited with Manny Robles, the trainer who masterminded his famous win over Anthony Joshua in June 2019, which saw him briefly become unified WBA, WBO, and IBF heavyweight champion before he dropped the titles in a rematch.

A trilogy with Joshua is at the top of Ruiz Jr’s hitlist, but he has also expressed interest in locking horns with Usyk after exchanging private messages on social media.

Ruiz Jr called out Usyk via direct message

“Usyk is the one with the belts. Usyk is the one with the name,” said Ruiz Jr in November.

“So I think that’s a good fight that I’d be interested in as well.

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“Maybe like a few weeks ago, I was messaging Usyk.

“I guess he sent me a message or something.

“I was like, ‘Hey, much love, brother. I would love to get in the ring with you. It would be a pleasure.’

“And then he was like, “In God’s timing, we will do it. We will run it up.” And I was like, “‘Oh, snap.'”

Ruiz Jr and Wilder are the only notable names from Usyk’s era that he has yet to fight.

‘The Cat’s’ decision to reject a WBO mandatory clash with Fabio Wardley earlier this year indicates that he is no longer interested in facing the next generation.

He is instead focused on clearing out the last of the old guard before calling time on his career.