Deontay Wilder wants a warm-up fight before facing Oleksandr Usyk, and he’s drawn a spicy name from the hat. The veteran heavyweight, now 40, has endured a rough stretch, dropping four of his last six bouts, yet he’s aiming to keep his title ambitions alive for 2026.
The scene recently shifted in Dubai, where Wilder and a host of boxing stars gathered for the IBA Men’s Elite World Championships. During a tense face-off with Derek Chisora, what started as a playful exchange quickly turned serious: the two men leaned in, noses nearly touching, before security intervened to break up the potential moment of conflict. Wilder afterward indicated he could use Chisora as his next test ahead of a showdown with Usyk.
Wilder’s exact question now: how would he fare against Usyk if a match were to occur in 2026? While Wilder remains a legendary puncher with a history of knockouts, many observers note that his recent form hasn’t matched his peak years.
In other news shaping the heavyweight landscape, Netflix is set to stream Jake Paul versus Anthony Joshua on December 19. The bout is widely viewed as a mismatch on paper, especially given Joshua’s status as a former two-time heavyweight champion. Still, Wilder cautions that big fights can surprise, reminding fans that anything can happen when two big names collide.
Wilder also weighed in on Joshua’s legacy. If Joshua were to be defeated decisively by Paul, Wilder warned that the setback could cast a lasting shadow over Joshua’s career, suggesting that the most memorable moments are often what fans remember most—whether for good or ill—and that a dramatic knockout could tarnish Joshua’s legacy in the minds of many fans.
What do you think about Wilder’s plan and the potential matchups ahead? Do you believe Wilder can rebound with a strategic warm-up against Chisora before aiming at Usyk, or do you think Usyk stands as the tougher challenge for 2026? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
