Deontay Wilder is one of two men to have fought Tyson Fury three times. It goes without saying then that he’s one of the best-placed to analyse the Brit’s upcoming fight against Oleksandr Usyk.
The two heavyweight champions will come to blows on February 17 in Saudi Arabia, the winner leaving the ring as the first undisputed titlist in the division since Lennox Lewis.
Fury secured his WBC belt back in 2020 following a draw in the first bout with Wilder. He would beat him once more in 2021 to move ahead and look to compete for the other major belts.
Now that he has the opportunity to do so against unified champ Usyk, Wilder doesn’t make him the favourite. The American KO artist told Instant Casino that it was a pick’em fight, but Usyk’s speed could swing it.
“It’s a 50-50 fight, anything can happen. People look at Fury’s size as a major advantage but that doesn’t necessarily mean nothing because Usyk can stay low to the ground and because Fury’s so tall it’s going to be difficult to reach down. If Usyk can get in and out real fast, I feel speed could be a major factor.”
Most of all, Wilder just wants to fight the winner and become undisputed himself.
“For me it’s 50-50 and I’m glad it’s finally happening so we get all the belts in one place. That’s going to make it easier for me to fight for the unification of those belts, so I won’t have to fight different champions and have champions running away because of what he’s seen me do to the last opponent.”
Fury and Usyk have a rematch clause, so Wilder will have to keep winning between now and then to earn his shot. Next up is Joseph Parker on December 23, potentially followed by Anthony Joshua in 2024 should he also win on the card.