WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman Has Backed Oleksandr Usyk's Title Defense Against Deontay Wilder
WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman has confirmed that Deontay Wilder is indeed welcome to challenge for Oleksandr Usyk's WBC heavyweight title, despite speculation surrounding the potential fight. According to the WBC president, Wilder is currently ranked 13th on the organization's list of top contenders and meets all the criteria to be considered a legitimate challenger.
In an interview with Sky Sports, Sulaiman expressed his enthusiasm for Wilder's return to the ring. "Absolutely we are hoping to see him back in the ring," he said. "Deontay Wilder was champion for five years of the WBC, he is a tremendous force, he has great punching power."
Wilder had been on a hiatus since losing his title in 2020, but it appears that his comeback may be imminent. Usyk has already confirmed that he wants to face Wilder in the United States, in what would mark his first bout in America since 2019.
The fight is seen as an opportunity for both boxers to bolster their legacies. For Usyk, a victory over Wilder would further cement his status as one of the world's top heavyweights. Meanwhile, Wilder believes that taking down Usyk would prove his continued relevance at the highest level.
"I beat Joshua twice, I beat Fury twice, and one unbeaten one remains - Wilder," Usyk said in an interview on the Ready to Fight website. "This is about sporting interest."
While details of the fight have yet to be finalized, it's clear that both boxers are eager for the bout to take place. With WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman's backing, it seems likely that the highly anticipated showdown between Oleksandr Usyk and Deontay Wilder will finally come to fruition.
WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman has confirmed that Deontay Wilder is indeed welcome to challenge for Oleksandr Usyk's WBC heavyweight title, despite speculation surrounding the potential fight. According to the WBC president, Wilder is currently ranked 13th on the organization's list of top contenders and meets all the criteria to be considered a legitimate challenger.
In an interview with Sky Sports, Sulaiman expressed his enthusiasm for Wilder's return to the ring. "Absolutely we are hoping to see him back in the ring," he said. "Deontay Wilder was champion for five years of the WBC, he is a tremendous force, he has great punching power."
Wilder had been on a hiatus since losing his title in 2020, but it appears that his comeback may be imminent. Usyk has already confirmed that he wants to face Wilder in the United States, in what would mark his first bout in America since 2019.
The fight is seen as an opportunity for both boxers to bolster their legacies. For Usyk, a victory over Wilder would further cement his status as one of the world's top heavyweights. Meanwhile, Wilder believes that taking down Usyk would prove his continued relevance at the highest level.
"I beat Joshua twice, I beat Fury twice, and one unbeaten one remains - Wilder," Usyk said in an interview on the Ready to Fight website. "This is about sporting interest."
While details of the fight have yet to be finalized, it's clear that both boxers are eager for the bout to take place. With WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman's backing, it seems likely that the highly anticipated showdown between Oleksandr Usyk and Deontay Wilder will finally come to fruition.