Deontay Wilder revealed this week that he is now officially in negotiations with unified world heavyweight champion, Oleksandr Usyk.
‘The Bronze Bomber’ — once a long-reigning and undefeated WBC Champion — was handed his first defeat by Tyson Fury back in 2020 and has since registered just two wins in five fights over a period with large bursts of inactivity.
Defeats to Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang in 2023 and 2024 respectively left many feeling that the knockout artist from Alabama was set to call time on his campaign at 40-years-old, however he confirmed his decision to fight on with a comeback win over Tyrell Herndon.
An out of the blue callout from Usyk, who holds the WBC, IBF and WBA titles, gives Wilder a major boost at this late stage in his career. Herndon, however, is no preparation for the undefeated southpaw.
In Dubai recently, Wilder faced off with former Usyk opponent Derek Chisora. After things got heated and there was some pushing and shoving, the American told ES News he was now considering facing ‘Del Boy’ in prep for Usyk.
“Derek Chisora, you want it, you can get it. That’s for sure. That might be my warm-up fight. I’ll see what people think about that. We were supposed to fight years ago, and I got in some legal trouble and it meant I couldn’t travel. It was supposed to happen and it didn’t happen, and this opportunity means it can happen.”
Chisora is currently in the market for his 50th opponent, ranked well with the IBF and looking to leave the sport with a bang. Recent talks with Dillian Whyte for a trilogy bout fell through — though may be revisited — and many would fancy his chances against Wilder given their current form.
Fight 50. Deontay Wilder 💥 @IBA_Pro_Boxing#warchisorapic.twitter.com/ZDmfgRNtDH
— Derek Chisora 🥊 (@DerekWarChisora) December 11, 2025