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Deontay Wilder is open to fighting Oleksandr Usyk if Tyson Fury cannot follow through on his promise to fight for the Undisputed Heavyweight Championship.

Fury pulled out of the February 17 bout after a cut in sparring over his right eye. That was the second time Fury could not make the fight after he did the same following the Francis Ngannou bout when the fight was scheduled for December 23, 2023. The latest withdrawal came after suggestions that Fury had been dropped in sparring.

Jai Opetaia was alleged to have put Fury down after the Australian was sent home after just five days in camp. Johnny Nelson followed that up, stating he heard rumors that Fury was ‘getting turned over’ in sparring. The new date for Fury-Usyk has been set for May 18. Turki Alalshikh has insisted that both fighters pay a $10 million fine if either withdraws. Wilder has put himself in the conversation for alternative opponents for Usyk if Fury fails to fight.

Wilder On Usyk

“I’m ready, I’m always ready for whoever no matter what. No matter how much training I’ve got, whether I’m three weeks in or eight weeks in, it doesn’t matter, I’m a fighter. I’m really putting myself up against anyone. I’m still that motherf***er man, don’t get it twisted.

“We’re putting all the stuff back together. I at one point in time lost the love for this business. The success did a lot to me because it really took me out of my element. I used to be a gym rat instead of just coming to the gym whenever I have fights. All of it’s changed, I’ve rededicated myself back to this s***, I’m in the gym now and taking it like a job now,” Wilder said 

This is not the first time that Wilder has been linked with Usyk. The Bronze Bomber previously accused the Ukrainian of ducking him.

“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***. 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,” Wilder stated 

Wilder’s Obstacles

Wilder is a knockout artist but is far from getting the Usyk fight. His last performance was below expectations, as he lost a unanimous decision to Joseph Parker. The Bronze Bomber looked out of sorts as he failed to utilize his right hand, known for being so destructive. He also faces a problem with getting the Usyk fight due to a rematch clause the Ukrainian has with Fury. That is in addition to the winner facing Anthony Joshua or Francis Ngannou, who face off on March 8. Wilder is below the pecking order, but he does have Uysk on his radar.

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