Sergey Lapin, trainer of WBA, WBO & IBF heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk, says that his man has no qualms about facing former WBC champion Deontay Wilder, despite the American’s impressive return to the ring.
‘The Bronze Bomber’ returned to action last weekend to dismantle Robert Helenius inside a round, needing to land just three punches to end the fight.
This has caught the attention of the division with many people believing that the knockout artist is back better than ever following a year away from the sport. However, Lapin told LordPing that he wasn’t impressed and isn’t caught up in the hype surrounding Wilder.
“Deontay Wilder is a name that’s been mentioned [for a fight with Usyk.] Usyk does not fear Wilder.
From Wilder’s last fight, I didn’t see anything new. This guy is very simple. He goes out and hits and has a very strong punch. He compensates for his lack of technique.”
Whilst Lepin believed that it was the same-old, one-punch-knockout dependent Wilder in the ring last Saturday, legendary trainer Teddy Atlas believed that Wilder showed glimpses of improvement in the way that he set up the stoppage with his feet. Although, when it comes to footwork, there are few who compare to the masterful Ukrainian Usyk.
For now, Wilder still needs to prove himself as a threat to Usyk and Tyson Fury’s heavyweight titles, and has been linked to a fight with Andy Ruiz Jr – due to be ordered as a final eliminator for a chance at the WBC strap held by Fury.
It’s a great fight for the fans should Usyk and Fury be tied up in undisputed talks, and perhaps the American can register a performance that will have team Usyk less laid back about the prospect of facing him.