Deontay Wilder’s knockout power is a frightening prospect for any heavyweight – and he believes one of the best is avoiding him because of it.
The Alabama native has knocked out every man he’s faced in the ring that isn’t named Tyson Fury, often early and with one single shot. It’s an attribute that carried him to being WBC World Champion for just shy of half a decade.
Despite having lost that belt to Fury over a thrilling trilogy of fights, Wilder is on the cusp of challenging again, and it looking to make the biggest bouts possible.
Speaking to 78SPORTSTV, he claimed current unified champion, Oleksandr Usyk, didn’t want to mix it with him after ‘many offers’ to do so.
“I don’t think Usyk really cares. As long as he ain’t got to fight me. I don’t think he cares, as long as he don’t have to fight me, it’s all good, because that man is terrified of me.
“He’s dodged me so many times and I know. And don’t act like I don’t know, I don’t want anyone to come out like, ‘Usyk said this and that.’ It would be a lie because I know a lot of s**t.
I’m in the business, I know. He’s been offered a lot of money to fight me, many times. But he’s denied it. They said they do not want Bomb Squad problems.”
On the contrary, Usyk has previously denied any claims that he is afraid to face Wilder – and it has to be said that his undefeated record speaks to that.
Following a comprehensive clearing up of the cruiserweight division, the Ukrainian moved up to face the heavies and beat Anthony Joshua in his third fight there to become three-belt champion.
Since winning the rematch, he has been gunning for an undisputed fight with Fury, but it’s yet to materialise and won’t be until next year if it does.
In the meantime, he’s set to face his mandatory challenger, Daniel Dubois, on August 26.
As for Wilder, he’s in talks to fight Andy Ruiz Jr in September, but things aren’t going so well. With or without that bout, he’s expected to be in the ring with Joshua this December for a long-awaited transatlantic clash.