Oleksandr Usyk tipped for Deontay Wilder clash after vacating heavyweight titles

Eddie Hearn believes Deontay Wilder will be the next man to fight Oleksandr Usyk.

Former undisputed champion Usyk announced his decision to vacate the WBA, WBC and IBF heavyweight titles on Friday, but said he won’t retire from the sport as he prepares for his ‘last dance.’

AFP

The undefeated Ukrainian controversially defeated kickboxing legend Rico Verhoeven last time out in the latter’s second professional boxing fight and was ordered to fight Agit Kabayel for the WBC strap next.

However, Usyk’s decision to vacate his belts means the Kabayel fight will no longer go ahead, with the German interim titleholder now elevated to full WBC world champion.

Usyk has previously expressed his desire to lock horns with Wilder before he hangs up his gloves, and according to Matchroom Sport chairman Hearn, his wish will be granted.

Speaking before Jaron Ennis’ victory over Zander Zayas in Brooklyn on Saturday, Hearn told DAZN that a deal for the heavyweight titans to collide is done.

Usyk vs Wilder?

Asked if he was surprised at Usyk’s decision to fight Wilder at the event’s post-fight press conference, Hearn responded: “I mean, I think he’ll just go for the best deal, really.

“He has said for a while he would like to include Wilder in his resume. I was quite surprised. I thought he would [rematch] Rico, but then I thought to myself…

“Whatever fight Usyk’s in next is not a world heavyweight championship, maybe it’s a Zuffa [Boxing] belt — something like that.

“If it’s Usyk against Rico and the world heavyweight championship’s not on the line for me, part of the selling for that fight is to say if Rico wins, he becomes world heavyweight champion.

“But I think it’s good for the division because now you’re going to see another three or four champions, which will be interesting.”

Usyk has already been in discussions to fight Wilder, having negotiated with the American’s team before ‘The Bronze Bomber’ fought and defeated Derek Chisora in London.

Getty

Wilder told talkSPORT.com in February he was in negotiations with Usyk’s people, but conversations with Chisora were ‘already in an advanced stage’ before the pair signed to fight.

The 40-year-old did, however, state his plan was to ‘put the heavyweight division on notice’ with his fight against Chisora before ‘moving on to Usyk.’

Zuffa and a potential Verhoeven rematch

With Usyk no longer holding any of the major sanctioning bodies’ belts, his next appearance could come under Dana White‘s Zuffa Boxing banner.

Usyk’s team director Sergey Lapin has already revealed there has been ‘contact’ from the promotion to snap up his man.

It also comes at a time when Tyson Fury has been linked to Zuffa Boxing, which is part-owned by Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh, having appeared at White’s UFC Freedom 250 show earlier this month.

However, Fury’s manager Spencer Brown has since poured cold water on the aforementioned rumours, insisting Fury is still under contract with Frank Warren and Queensberry Promotions ahead of an expected bout against Anthony Joshua.

Getty

Getty

Of course, if negotiations between Usyk and Wilder fail to materialise, a rematch with Verhoeven is seemingly the second most likely option for the Ukrainian.

“The last dance ‘rematch time’ let’s make this the biggest crossover fight of this era,” Verhoeven posted on social media last week.

The Dutchman had called to overturn the result of his defeat to Usyk, but his appeal was dismissed.

A possible rematch with Usyk could take place on home soil in Amsterdam.

Watch Boxing on DAZN

*If you click a link in this boxout, we will earn affiliate revenue

Sign up to DAZN to access the definitive subscription for boxing fans.

Upgrade to DAZN Ultimate from just £24.99/month, guaranteeing access to 185+ fights annually, a minimum of 12 pay-per-views at no extra cost, as well as every Lega Serie A match and other elite football access.

Alternatively, DAZN Standard is just £15.99/month, with the caveat you will have to pay for pay-per-view events.

Click here to sign up.