‘I think it’s interesting’: Oleksandr Usyk says he wants a fight with Deontay Wilder

During a video interview with Oleksandr Usyk as he’s in Thailand for this year’s annual WBC convention, he talks about where he’s currently at in his career, giving up his undisputed hold at heavyweight, and makes a rather surprising announcement that in the coming year he personally would like to make a fight against Deontay Wilder.

Now, had Usyk made this announcement about five years ago it certainly wouldn’t raise any eyebrows, but considering the precipitous falloff Wilder has experienced in recent years, there probably won’t be all that many who find that matchup particularly intriguing. Usyk, however, feels differently. Here’s some of what he had to say.

“For me (recovery) more important than belt because I win this belt, yeah….When [they] say ‘hey, listen, you must protect (WBO) belt,’ I say ‘yeah, I can do it but not now’ because, listen, I have very hard one-and-a-half years with Tyson Fury, to fight and prepare for Daniel Dubois, win. I say ‘I don’t mind, I do it, but not now.‘

“This is like a sport and business. If win Parker, for me it’s interesting. Win, Wardley — for me, not interesting. I say it’s true. Okay, give you belt. Boxing. Maybe later we fight together like a big fight.”

“No. I continue fight, I think next year I want fight with Deontay Wilder. For me, I think it’s interesting…This is world champion guy, this is very famous guy, this is strong guy — one of great heavyweight of last ten years…[There’s been no negotiations yet], I say only now. It’s like special information. I speak with my team, I say ‘this is first name.’…Now I only have one person [I’m targeting], Deontay.”

“Now with Anthony, is like a friends. If I can help my opponents, I help…For example, we speak with Anthony, say ‘hey bro, I have preparation. If you can come to my camp we can train with you together.’ ‘Oh, it’s a good idea but Anthony don’t have time.’ Now it’s possible, I will (be) with Anthony this camp, two weeks. We’re training together, Anthony make special work. I too, special, but we work together.

“Why (do I want to help) Anthony Joshua? I think it’s answer only for God because Anthony have education, like a kind (heart), we speak with Anthony, message, now we speak on the phone — not Instagram, but I have phone number…I like this guy because this is guy smart, I think this guy have very big heart, Anthony.”