Deontay Wilder gave his career a much-needed injection last night with a split-decision victory against Derek Chisora at the O2 Arena in London.
Prior to his English debut, the former WBC champion saw negotiations fall through with current IBF, WBA and WBC world title holder Oleksandr Usyk. However, with Usyk set to take on kickboxing legend Rico Verhoeven at the Pyramids of Giza on May 23, it was Moses Itauma’s name that was put to Wilder as a potential opponent by the press.
“I’m in the heavyweight division and with all these characters in the heavyweight division, why not?” Wilder explained in the post fight press conference, regarding a potential fight with Itauma. “I’m not dodging anyone. I’m a veteran in the game. I’m willing to fight any and all. If the mans want to see it? The why not, you know.”
The 21-year-old Itauma has been ripping through the division in devastating fashion and is largely considered the future of boxing’s most lucrative weight class. Itauma knocked out Jermaine Franklin Jr last Saturday in the headliner at the CO-OP Live Arena in Manchester.
“I didn’t know who Moses was,” Wilder added. “I’ve seen some of his highlights. I seen his last fight against Franklin. What a hell of a KO! He seems like a potential champion that you guys have here. So hey, why not test him out.”
Wilder (45-4-1, 43 KOs) recorded a second straight victory for the first time since 2019. The American knockout artist has experienced a torrid run of form, having lost four in six heading into his bout with Chisora.
“First let’s see how long his hand [is injured] and we will see how that is,” Shelly Finkel, Wilder’s manager added. “That will dictate the timeframe. Look, he worked real hard to get ready for this, and it is time to take a little bit of a break and make sure the hand heals properly. So, you are not going to have back in the ring by June.”
Wilder was ranked in 12th place by the WBC ahead of his 50th professional fight in the English capital. Chisora was positioned in 2nd spot by the IBF, in touching distance of a shot at Usyk’s world title. Wilder is expected to leapfrog the Englishman following his recent win.
