Wilder: If I had to pick an opponent, I would pick Usyk

"If I could choose an opponent, I would choose Usyk," he said. Deontay Wilder (42-2-1, 41 KOs), who returns this coming Saturday against Robert Helenius (31-3, 20 KOs).

“I really was more inclined towards leaving the sport than returning to the ring, but everything changed when my monument was erected and people reacted. I realized that I was giving them more than just boxing, that I was still relatively young and had a good two or three years of my career ahead of me. When I returned to training, my craving for boxing also returned. I definitely don’t come back for the money, because I have a lot of them, ”says the former world heavyweight champion, who has been on the throne of the WBC federation for more than five years.

“I really liked Helenius and his trainer, but we both knew that sooner or later the moment might come when we had to fight each other. Of course, whatever the outcome of this fight, we will still remain friends, ”continued the Bronze Bomber, who, along with the Northern Nightmare, has been mated many times in the past.

"Eddie Hearn, Joshua's promoter, is a manipulator. We could have fought many years ago when it would have been a fight for the title of absolute world heavyweight champion. But I think nothing is lost yet. I'm still in business, as is Joshua. They keep asking me: “When are you going to fight Joshua?” As long as we both compete, such a fight will definitely take place. It would still be the largest boxing match in the world that could be arranged. There's a reason fans keep asking me about it. So the question is not whether this fight will take place, but when will it take place? Everything must fit together well, and we must do it at the perfect time. The problem, however, is that Hearn does not believe in Joshua and is afraid that I will beat him, ”says the American knockout king.

Saturday's fight between Wilder and Helenius is the semi-final of the WBC eliminator. Andy Ruiz Jr. (35-2, 22 KOs) is waiting for the best of the two. Previously, he beat Luis Ortiz. But Deontay can also count on a possible duel with Oleksandr Usyk (20-0, 13 KOs), IBF, WBA and WBO champion.

“If I could choose between Usyk and Ruiz, I would definitely choose Usyk. I would like to beat him and then I could defend the belts with Ruiz. Usyk was a bigger cruiser champion than he is now at heavyweight, but he's still a strong and good champion. I respect him very much as a boxer and as a person. I heard a lot of good things about him from other people. I have not heard a single negative review about him, which is rare in our business. I don't have much time anymore, so after defeating Helenius, I can face Usyk any time he chooses. In any case, he is in a similar situation and is unlikely to want to drag out his professional career too much, ”concluded Wilder.