There is plenty of heavyweight action coming up in the next few months, not least the undisputed clash between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk.
That historic meeting will be the first undisputed battle in 24 years and it arrives on February 17, though was somewhat delayed after Tyson Fury was pushed much harder than expected by former UFC champion Francis Ngannou back in October.
Before that night, famously hard-hitting American Deontay Wilder also makes an overdue return to the ring with his first bout in over a year and only his second in just over two years.
It comes against Joseph Parker, who has been praised for taking the fight, on the huge card in Saudi Arabia on December 23 that also features his long-time rival and fellow former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua versus Otto Wallin as well as Jarrell Miller versus Daniel Dubois and Dmitry Bivol against Lyndon Arthur.
Should ‘The Bronze Bomber’ win, he wants to fight Joshua and then challenge for a world title, but who will have the belts by that time is anybody’s guess.
Speaking to The Last Stand, Wilder claimed that either man could win the upcoming undisputed fight.
“Any man could win that fight. Who’s going to feel the best when the time comes? That’s what it’s all about, how you feel when the time comes. It’s fair game for anybody.”
In a seperate interview with Instant Casinos, Wilder discussed what Usyk might do to get the upper hand.
“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.”
Wilder admitted he is excited for the fight because he feels it increases his own chances of getting a shot at the undisputed title.
“I’m just excited for that cause we finally get to a point where the belts will be in one fighter’s hands. And I will be fighting for that. I don’t have to run around to different champions. My chance is greater because at some point in time you’re going to have to fight me and I will beat them and become undisputed champion.”