Deontay Wilder has responded after Oleksandr Usyk appeared to move on from targeting a fight with ‘The Bronze Bomber.’
For several months it appeared that former WBC heavyweight champion Wilder was on the verge of landing a showdown against unified heavyweight king Usyk, but instead the two men have gone in different directions.
Wilder returns to action on April 4 when he takes on fellow heavyweight veteran Derek Chisora at The O2 Arena in London, while Usyk will defend his WBC heavyweight title in a controversial bout against kickboxing star Rico Verhoeven at the Pyramids of Giza on May 23.
Usyk has recently made his future intentions clear, stating that he plans to face Verhoeven, the winner of Fabio Wardley vs. Daniel Dubois, and then Tyson Fury in his next three fights.
With that in mind, Wilder has told Daily Mail Boxing that he believes Usyk may have changed his mind after being intimidated when they met.
“No Deontay Wilder in there? Maybe he’s changed courses. Most time when people meet me and see me, the intimidation factor comes along.
“We’ll see about it. If it doesn’t happen then it doesn’t crush my dreams. I’m still here whether he is here or not. No matter who is here. I’m not here for any of these other guys in the division. I’m here for my goals and what I want to do in life.”
Usyk could yet change his mind and decide to face Wilder, but first ‘The Bronze Bomber’ must overcome Chisora next month.