Deontay Wilder, the former world champion in the heavyweight division, does not consider Alexander Usyk to be the greatest boxer of all time.
According to the 39-year-old American, "I don't consider him the greatest boxer in history. Probably, those who say so are his fans and are just obliged to assert that. Mostly, it's his compatriots from Ukraine, but very few think so outside the country. Most people don't understand boxing," the portal Ready To Fight quotes him as saying.
Wilder is confident that his physical strength and punching power will be key factors in a potential fight with Usyk. This was reported by Bloody Elbow.
"I believe that my success in the fight with him depends on my right hand. I don't want to reveal all the details in this interview so that my opponents can't prepare for it. But I can say that I have speed, height, and athleticism — three qualities that will give me an advantage in this fight," he noted.
We remind you that the fight between Wilder and Usyk, which will contest three championship titles (IBF, WBA, WBC), may take place in the spring of 2026. Usyk has repeatedly stated that Wilder is currently his most desired opponent.
In his last fight, which took place in the summer, Usyk defeated British fighter Daniel Dubois, knocking him out in the fifth round. Usyk remains undefeated in the professional ring.
In 2015, Wilder defeated Johann Duhaupas, and it was the punches from this opponent that stuck in Deontay's memory: "Maybe that will change someday, but right now, when talking about the hardest punch, I remember Duhaupas. Every jab he threw made my head bounce. I thought, 'Damn! How does he hit like that!' It felt like he had sand in his gloves."
Wilder admitted that at one point he even thought about giving up: "I thought, 'That's it! I can't take it anymore!' He was the only opponent who made me think that. The punches were very painful. I will always give credit to that guy. I'm grateful to him. Hey, buddy! I still remember you. He hit so hard that I still remember him."
