Deontay Wilder has claimed that Eddie Hearn may be “salty” for predicting that he wouldn’t win a round against Oleksandr Usyk.
Wilder has a tough test in Robert Helenius coming up, and Heavyweight Champion Oleksandr Usyk has expressed an interest in facing him should he win. The potential to fight for titles again may be extra motivation for the former champ.
Ever since Usyk’s call out, predictions have been requested from fighters and promoters. How would the Ukrainian’s elite skill match up against the American’s devastating power?
In answer to that very question, Eddie Hearn said that he didn’t think Wilder would win a round against Usyk, however the promoter went on to point out that the American could never be written off on account of his punch power.
Wilder deemed it as opinion to FightHype.com, before offering a potential reason for Hearn’s prediction.
“We have to find out. Everybody is subject to their own opinion. I can’t take his opinion away, along with no one else’s. The fight has to be made and we’ll see what happens. Maybe he’s still a little salty because his fighter got beat, I don’t know.”
Usyk has claimed two victories in a row over Anthony Joshua, taking his belts in the process. Even prior to this though, there has been beef between the Alabama fighter and Brentford promoter. It seems to have stemmed from doomed negotiations for Wilder to face Hearn’s heavyweight charge.
That’s still a fight fans want to see, and should back-and-forths like this continue then it may be likely that the pair put their money where their mouths are. First though, Wilder must make his comeback a successful one with a victory over Helenius, which is no gimme.
As for Usyk, his next moves are unclear. With ongoing negotiations between Joshua and Tyson Fury stopping an undisputed bout, the Ukrainian may just put Hearn’s opinion to the test early next year.