Deontay Wilder’s trainer, Malik Scott, is hopeful that Oleksandr Usyk’s recent signing will help along heavyweight plans for this winter.
Usyk – who holds the WBA, WBO and IBF heavyweight titles – recently penned a deal with Saudi Arabia based Skill Challenge Entertainment. The move, whilst lucrative, is seen as a way to cement an undisputed fight with Tyson Fury later in the year.
Speaking to ES News, Scott said he hoped the signing was a good omen for what was to come.
“I wasn’t really [surprised.]
When it comes to Usyk, Fury, even AJ and Wilder – the big news is all over there concerning those top names. We’ll see. I hope that signing means that the big thing that’s supposed to be happening in December is gonna happen.”
Big is an understatement for the plans. Saudi hopes to host a heavyweight tournament featuring an undisputed contest between Usyk and Tyson Fury as well as a top contender bout with Wilder and Anthony Joshua.
The plans – however ambitious – are to stage both on the same night, with the winners then facing off in the near future.
It’s long been thought that Wilder-Joshua is the easier fight to make of the two, but Scott is still not at the confirmation stage when asked if it’s happening.
“Hopefully. Nothing is guaranteed in boxing. I want it to.”
Contracts are expected to be exchanged in the coming days, with ‘AJ’ having a fight in August, potentially against Dillian Whyte. It’s still unclear as to whether or not Wilder will have a similar interim fight.
Usyk will face Daniel Dubois before switching his focus back to Fury, who has been particularly aloof in terms of the Middle East plans.
