Deontay Wilder believes he has what it takes to become the first man to knock out Oleksandr Usyk.
The heavyweight titans could be set to share the ring together in 2026 after both men expressed interest in locking horns in the not-so-distant future.
Usyk initially called out Wilder after relinquishing his WBO heavyweight title last month.
‘The Bronze Bomber’s’ manager, Shelly Finkel, then stated that they would be happy to factor Usyk into their plans for next year.
“Usyk is a great champion,” Finkel told Sky Sports.
“We have plans for next year, and we’d like Oleksandr Usyk to be part of them.
“If we receive the right offer, we would be open to that fight.”
How Deontay Wilder believes he can knock out Oleksandr Usyk
It seems Usyk isn’t just a cash-out option for Wilder, either, as the American has already laid out exactly how he believes he can beat the undefeated star.
“[I will need to use] jabs, using lateral movement and doing what I do best – coming with the right hand,” said Wilder during an interview with Fight Hub TV ahead of his bout with Zhilei Zhang last year.
“I feel like, if I connect with anyone, with the right hand, it is going to be devastating. It will be a knockout.
“So, I would have to strategise to get him, but one thing about it is that he is a southpaw and I love southpaws.
“I am always coming to give people what they want to see as a heavyweight, and that’s the knockout.”
Oleksandr Usyk vs Deontay Wilder has major obstacle cleared
The fight has received the green light from the WBC, with the organisation’s president, Mauricio Sulaiman, revealing that the Championship Committee had granted a petition filed by Usyk.
He told Sky Sports: “Deontay Wilder is ranked No.8. or No.9, so he’s eligible to challenge Oleksandr Usyk if they wish to do so.
“Usyk did petition for a voluntary defence, which was granted today.”
The IBF also wouldn’t take any issue with Usyk boxing Wilder next.
A spokesperson told the same publication: “The IBF is not next in the rotation.
“It would only become an issue for us if he were due to make a mandatory defence of his IBF title.”
Usyk will now wait to receive the same blessing from the WBA.
Terence Crawford usually keeps a low profile on social media.
But the pound-for-pound kingpin was in a very talkative mood Tuesday on X and felt like it was a good time to clear the air surrounding some of his stances.
The wide variety of topics Crawford (42-0, 31 KOs) addressed ranged from critics questioning his status as a star to performance-enhancing drug allegations, a fight with Manny Pacquiao that never materialized and how Floyd Mayweather Jr. would be the only opponent to potentially push his limits.
“I find it crazy how people run with this Crawford don’t sell,” said Crawford. “Any fighter I ever fought, besides Amir Khan when he fought Canelo Alvarez, I was their biggest fight. But I can’t sell though. But none of these fighters could do what they did with me, with other fighters though. So I must be lost.
“How many times did Canelo fight in a stadium again? How many people attended with other fighters again? If he sells out on his own, why couldn’t he do it with anyone else before me?
“I just love putting that out there because they don’t talk about that. But they run with the narrative I can’t sell. If I can’t sell, why do so many people come and tune in to the fight? I get it, I don’t act like the rest of them.”
Crawford has broken through with legacy-defining fights recently by stopping Errol Spence in 2023 to become the undisputed welterweight champion and by scoring a unanimous decision win against Canelo Alvarez in September to become the undisputed super middleweight champion.
For the longest time, Crawford was linked to a fight against Pacquiao while they were both signed with Top Rank, but Bob Arum nixed the matchup in fear of the latter being on the receiving end of a bad beating.
“I tried to fight Pacquiao way back in 2015, and they hid him from me. So I didn’t get too big too soon, they wanted to keep milking him because he was their cash cow.
“Oscar De La Hoya said Pacquiao would have beat me because he got stopped by him. Look: I would have [expletive] you, Pacquiao, and whoever you thought would have beat me up. Just because I’m responsible doesn’t mean [anything].
“I respect Manny, don’t get it twisted. But he’s been knocked out more than once. If you know boxing then you know he would have had to take a lot of chances with me, and I’m definitely not the one to chance with if you know what you are watching. Just ask his coach.
“It’s a reason they stayed away from me so long till they couldn’t anymore. I have been a problem since day one, and they knew it. I’m the one they told y’all to stay away from.”
Separately, on the same day potential future opponent Janibek Alimkhanuly became the latest fighter to test positive for a performance enhancing drug, Crawford also addressed allegations around banned substances.
“It’s a reason I never had a close fight, or a fight where people had to say a referee or judges, no drug allegations helped me win. No controversy over here at all, just hard work from the mud.
“Now I was on steroids [laughing emoji]. Saying that to a person who doesn’t even like taking Tylenol or multivitamins. Check me anytime of the year and won’t find anything in my system but water, pop, and candy.”
When an X user noted that Crawford is tied to SNAC, a supplements company founded by the late Victor Conte, a convicted steroids dealer-turned-outspoken anti-doping advocate, Crawford quipped: “When were over-the-counter supplements considered steroids again?”
Crawford concluded his commentary by saying that he’s never gotten a chance to show off his entire arsenal of skills throughout his illustrious 17-year, Hall of Fame-bound career.
“It’s so crazy to say y’all never got to see me at my full potential because nobody brought it out of me because I was knocking them out,” he said.
“I pay homage to the ones before me, but Floyd Mayweather [would be] the only one I would have had problems with, because of his mind. And I’m done talking about it, go argue with yo momma.”
Anthony Joshua has hit 243.8 lbs — his lowest in nearly a decade — ahead of blockbuster fight with Jake Paul.
Joshua is entering fight week significantly lighter than expected, signaling a major tactical shift for the former unified heavyweight champion’s showdown.
AJ confirmed his weigh-in via social media: “They must have forgot. I’m used to dealing with big weights & scales. 243.8lbs 🫡”
Weighing under 244 lbs with over a fortnight of camp left marks a dramatic drop from the 252–255 lb range he carried in previous outings.
The reduction is part of a deliberate strategy prioritizing speed, agility, and tactical advantage over sheer size, signaling a mobility-first approach against Jake Paul.
Anthony Joshua’s Weight Cut
Promoter Eddie Hearn revealed that MVP Promotions had been told Joshua weighed more than he actually did — turning the weight cut into both a psychological and strategic tool.
Hearn said: “They said: ‘The only thing is that Jake will weigh about 220 pounds and we want AJ to come down in weight.’ He’s a heavyweight and hasn’t cut weight before. They said: ‘Look, we’re not being funny, and it’s not that we need an advantage, but we need you to have some disadvantage.’” – If you use these WBN quotes, please link back to the source: https://www.worldboxingnews.com/joshua-paul-243-8-lbs-strategy/
They must have forgot. I’m used to dealing with big weights & scales. 243.8lbs 🫡 pic.twitter.com/KS3FNkrxpm
Joshua hasn’t been this lean since the Andy Ruiz rematch in 2019, when he weighed 237 lbs and boxed on his toes for 12 disciplined rounds. His current approach is focused on speed and agility, designed to counter Jake Paul, the cruiserweight novice whose bold “shock the world” claims have drawn widespread skepticism.
We understands that shedding extra pounds is a deliberate tactic to disrupt Paul’s confidence, sharpen Joshua’s reactions, and prevent him from being drawn into risky single-shot exchanges that favor smaller, explosive punchers.
Fight-week scrutiny will peak at the public weigh-in on December 18, where the final number will reveal whether Joshua is undergoing a tactical reinvention or fine-tuning for a showcase.
Harvey vs. Cervantes Opens Netflix Main Card
Most Valuable Promotions confirmed rising US Olympian Jahmal Harvey (1-0, 1 KO) will open the main card against unbeaten Kevin Cervantes (5-0, 5 KOs) in a 130-lb super featherweight clash. Harvey’s destructive debut has placed him among America’s hottest prospects, and MVP is positioning him for a breakout moment on a global stage.
Fight Week Schedule
Tuesday, Dec. 16 – Open Workouts + Showcase Bouts
LIV at Fontainebleau Miami Beach hosts open workouts plus three sanctioned fights:
• Luan Medeiros vs. Hugo Macias (135 lbs)
• Shannon Courtenay vs. Jessica Radtke Maltez (118 lbs)
• Jocelyn Camarillo vs. Yazmin Martinez Jimenez (108 lbs)
Wednesday, Dec. 17 – Final Press Conference
Fillmore Miami Beach, 6 p.m. ET.
Thursday, Dec. 18 – Public Weigh-In
Same venue, 6 p.m. ET — all eyes will shift to Joshua’s number.
Friday, Dec. 19 – Fight Night
Prelims on MVP’s YouTube; main card live worldwide only on Netflix.
Joshua’s lean frame signals complete focus — a disciplined approach to a matchup that continues to generate raised eyebrows across the boxing world.
With the psychological and tactical stakes of this weight cut now public, his weight story may well define how this fight is remembered.
Donald Trump has received calls to issue a presidential pardon to a boxing legend who lost ‘every dollar he earned’.
Since returning to the office at the start of this year, Trump has frequently used the pardon – one of the key powers granted to the US President under the Constitution.
The presidential pardon allows the president to ‘reprieve and pardon’ individuals for all federal criminal offences, except in cases of impeachment, effectively wiping away the legal punishment for a crime.
Several high-profile figures have received pardons so far during Trump’s time in office.
Just last month, UK billionaire Joe Lewis, whose family trust owns Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur, received an official pardon.
Rapper NBA YoungBoy whose real name is Kentrell Gaulden, was pardoned in May, while reality television couple Julie and Todd Chrisley were pardoned in the same month.
Now, Trump has received a petition from the World Boxing Council (WBC) to pardon former heavyweight boxing champion Joe Louis over his past tax debts.
Louis reigned as the heavyweight champion from 1937 until 1949, winning an astonishing 25 consecutive title defences – a record across all weight classes.
During that time, he established himself as one of the greatest boxers in history.
He temporarily retired from the sport in 1949, but was forced to return soon after as he owed the government more than $500,000.
Louis returned to fight Ezzard Charles in 1950, aged 36, but only 22,357 spectators turned up at Yankee Stadium, meaning he earned just over $100,000.
He was forced to continue fighting and was eventually knocked out by undefeated heavyweight contender Rocky Marciano in 1951, bringing an end to his boxing career.
Now, at a general session meeting at the WBC Convention, close family friend, Frank Garza spoke about the difficult final years of Louis’ life.
Speaking about the debts, he told BoxingScene: “It became virtually unpayable.”
He claimed the IRS collection pursuit was so relentless that Louis had to give over every dollar he earned in an attempt to settle the debt.
The financial strain continued right until the final years of his life.
Frank Sinatra even helped Louis secure a job as a greeter at Caesars Palace, where he worked until his death in 1981.
Meanwhile, WBC attorney Robert Lenhardt spoke about the impact Louis had on American sport and his role in breaking down racial barriers.
Lenhardt believes Louis should also receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which is the highest honour that can be given to an American citizen.
He added that the WBC is “hopeful to receive a signed document shortly” which will inform the organisation and Louis’ family of the outcome regarding the requests for pardon, forgiveness of the debt and the award.
WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman added: “We are very much looking forward to this great moment of justice.”
The great Oleksandr Usyk has spoken – we now know who the unified world heavyweight champion wants to meet in his next fight.
Usyk (24-0) is now 38 years old and has done everything in boxing a man could desire. Olympic champion, undisputed cruiserweight world champion and now a two-time undisputed world heavyweight champion.
The Ukrainian maestro has scaled every summit, repelled every challenger, mostly on the road in hostile environments. In the case of British stars Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois – he’s done it twice.
Usyk was forced to give up his WBO world title last month, clearly not believing that his next move should be a mandatory defence against Britain’s fairytale fighter Fabio Wardley.
Instead Oleksandr is looking to bigger things, and has named the man he wants to meet. And it is – drum roll – big-punching former WBC king Deontay Wilder.
Usyk would start a huge favourite for this one, should it happen in 2026. And the Wilder camp appear game, why wouldn’t they?
There are reasons to believe it’s the absolute perfect choice for Usyk, and there are reasons to feel just a little bit underwhelmed at the same time. Here is why…
Usyk vs Wilder, why it’s perfect
We should say first that Usyk has earned the right to choose who he fights – he owes no man nor sanctioning body anything after his glittering career to date. And in many ways, he’s chosen perfectly here.
It appears Fury and Joshua are on course to meet each other at some stage next year (September in London appears to be the likely landing spot for that long-awaited superfight). So those two would be out as potential opponents, and would we really want a trilogy fight anyway?
The rest of the heavyweights just below that elite level are made up of contenders, fighters who may be really good or even great one day, but don’t have the CV to demand a huge TV audience. Wardley, Agit Kabayel, Joseph Parker etc. None really set the pulse racing.
The one man still in the top 15 who does have some box office potential is Wilder. The man from Tuscaloosa, Alabama is now 40 years old and has not looked remotely impressive since losing to Fury in an epic trilogy fight in late 2021.
But Wilder has two things in his favour – he is American, and he has a huge right hand. The ability to draw a crowd, with at least the lingering threat he could do something incredible. It’s Rocky territory.
Outside of Fury and Joshua, and a crossover fight with Jake Paul (please, no) Wilder might be the biggest payday out there for Usyk. So of course, it makes sense.
And why it’s not perfect
So we’ve given you the reasons why Usyk is right to choose Wilder, now the flip side.
Oleksandr is an amazing fighter, one who always relishes taking on the biggest of challenges. Sadly, these days, Deontay is not that.
Wilder was massively unimpressive in losing his last two meaningful fights – to Joseph Parker in December 2023 and Chinese giant Zhilei Zhang in the summer of 2024. He has never been a technically gifted fighter but he appeared shot on both occasions, no longer able to pull the trigger either.
‘The Bronze Bomber’ did return to the ring in June 2025, stopping Tyrrell Herndon in seven rounds in Wichita. But aside from maybe removing a little ring rust, one look at Herndon’s record shows that fight proved nothing.
Ask most experts out there about Wilder and they will tell you he is a shadow of the fighter who once struck fear into the hearts of opponents. Even in his pomp he needed that knockout punch, most rivals would comfortably outbox him.
While on the face of it, to the casual, it is a fight which might sell to a point in America (or Saudi), it’s hardly a dangerous assignment for Oleksandr. And for that reason, we are just a little bit underwhelmed.
So who should Usyk fight?
So as we said, Usyk has earned the choice here to make his own decision, but that does not mean we can’t all have an opinion. And there is one fight out there, that is available, which would absolutely set the pulse racing.
Moses Itauma, the 13-0 British phenom, is the most exciting thing to hit the heavyweight division since Mike Tyson back in the 1980s. A devastating mix of speed, power and ring savvy. Put simply, he looks the realest of deals.
Fighting Itauma would undoubtedly be a risk for Usyk, the biggest risk out there for him right now. But he has made a career by taking on the mightiest challenges, by elevating his legacy even further.
Usyk vs Itauma would be a massive collision of the young pretender against the brilliant and established champion. A crossroads fight for the heavyweight division and a matchup to savour.
Maybe it will happen one day but for now it appears Oleksandr is headed in a different direction. Yes, he’ll make some money, and yes he will beat Wilder.
Terence Crawford Claps Back at WBC For Stripping Him of World Title
It did not take long for Terence Crawford to clap back at the WBC for stripping him of their world championship belt that he won just a matter of months ago for beating Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez in boxing.
In September, Crawford pulled off one of the most impressive performances of his entire career as he jumped multiple weight classes to beat Canelo in the Mexican’s own weight class, wresting all the major super middleweight world titles from his waist, and leaving the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas as the sport’s pound-for-pound No.1-ranked fighter.
There has been great speculation as to what’s next for ‘Bud’, whether that’s a rematch against Canelo in the 168-pound division, a drop to middleweight to take on one of the champions there to become a six-weight ruler like Oscar de la Hoya, or even a crossover type fight against the likes of UFC superstar Ilia Topuria.
But shortly after besting Canelo, the WBC removed Crawford’s status as a champion. And now Crawford has responded.
As earlier Wednesday, the WBC said, through its president Mauricio Sulaiman, that it stripped Crawford of the title over an apparent failure to pay sanctioning fees for his last two fights. The fees totalled $300,000 following the Canelo win, just for that one sanctioning body.
Crawford responded within hours during a live stream on social media. “Him saying I’m not paying him $300,000 plus another $100k or something for sanctioning fees, right. Then he tells me I haven’t even apologized, like, who the f*** you think I am? You better slap your f****** self.”
He continued: “What makes you better than any of the other sanctioning bodies? Answer that question. What makes you better than the WBO, IBF, or the WBA. Everybody accepted what I was giving them, but you think you’re better than everybody.”
Crawford Diminishes The WBC’s Relevence
Crawford then diminished the relevance of sanctioning bodies in boxing in the modern era, suggesting that the real champion in the fight game is the one who wears The Ring belt. Boxing financier Turki Alalshikh bought The Ring from Oscar de la Hoya and, though it’s traditionally been a media publication, under Alalshikh’s stewardship through COO Rick Reeno, it’s become more than that, and a combat sports promotion in and of itself.
“The real belt is The Ring belt,” Crawford said, “which is free.”
“You can take the f****** belt. It’s a trophy, anyway. What am I paying you every time I step foot [in the ring] … I’m the mother-f***** that’s putting my life on the line. Not you. You ain’t stepping your ass in that ring. Nobody else.”
“So why should I have to pay carry your belt? You should be paying me!”
Anthony Joshua shook up the boxing world when he said he’d joined his old rival Oleksandr Usyk’s team earlier this year, to fine-tune his skillset during his twilight years.
Joshua rose through Team GB’s elite system under Rob McCracken, winning Olympic gold and building a heavyweight reign on discipline and fundamentals. After setbacks, he moved from Robert Garcia to Derrick James and then Ben Davison, searching for tactical evolution and a trainer who could unlock his full potential.
As reported last month, Joshua made an extraordinary move behind-the-scenes as he “spent time with Usyk’s team,” as he “looks set to change trainers,” according to British sports reporter Chris McKenna. Now, Usyk has explained the real reason for AJ’s move to the Usyk team’s training facility in Valencia, Spain.
Usyk team manager Sergey Lapin manages the Spanish camp, and was one of the key figures to welcome Joshua to the facility. It comes at a time in which Joshua is preparing for one of the more straight-forward fights of his pro career as he takes on the internet sensation Jake Paul at the Kaseya Center in Miami on the 19th of December. That event airs on Netflix.
Speaking on the link-up between his team and Joshua, Usyk told Boxing King Media: “I’m not [his] coach. I’m a friend. I have very professional coaches, like 15, now with Anthony, [helping him] like a friend. If we can, if I can help my opponent, I help. We spoke with Anthony, we have preparation, ‘You can come into my camp, and we will do training together. Now, it’s possible.”
“We’re training together and we’re working together.”
Oleksandr Usyk’s Team is Helping Improve Anthony Joshua
Usyk continued: “We speak with Anthony, messaging, on the phone. I have his phone number. ‘Hey, champ! How are you?’ I like this guy because he’s smart, and this guy has a very big heart.”
Though Usyk is one of the more unbeatable fighters in the sport, and on the cusp of a possible fight with Deontay Wilder in 2026, the heavyweight king said it’s important to not impose his style on fighters who join his team but, rather, further develop their own unique skillsets.
“We are not helping him with my style,” he said. “My team, it’s not only one line — Usyk, Usyk, Usyk. No, we have different styles. I’m southpaw. Anthony is [orthodox], and doesn’t move like me.”
“We give him what helps Anthony grow.”
“My team does the plan, and gives me what helps me,” Usyk finished. “They give him his plan that will help him.”
Deontay Wilder Responds to Oleksandr Usyk Callout With Strong Statement
There is a lot of intrigue around what Oleksandr Usyk is going to do next in his boxing career. There hasn’t been much activity or content from the former undisputed heavyweight champion and pound-for-pound great ever since his KO victory over Daniel Dubois in the 5th round of their July 19 bout.
While every heavyweight has been jockeying for position to be his next opponent, Usyk hadn’t even conveyed whether he wanted to fight again, let alone who he was keen to match up against.
Some believe that his most likely next opponent would be Fabio Wardley after Wardley beat Joseph Parker, especially because Wardley now holds the WBO heavyweight belt. Then again, Usyk relinquished that belt because he had no interest in fighting Wardley, as becoming undisputed again doesn’t seem to be his biggest interest.
Instead, Usyk wants to fight the biggest names. This is why he has expressed an openness to fighting against UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira and Jake Paul in recent months.
Oleksandr Usyk Calls Deontay Wilder Out, Wilder’s Team Responds
However, Usyk has conveyed that he has an active heavyweight icon and superstar in the sport in his sights next, which he asserted during a December 1 interview with Boxing King Media.
“I want to fight Deontay Wilder. I think it’s interesting,” Usyk said while speaking at the WBC convention in Thailand, per a video from Boxing King Media’s YouTube channel.
When asked why he wants to face Wilder, Usyk said, “This is a world champion guy, this is a very famous guy, this is a strong guy. He is one of the great heavyweights of the last 10 years.”
It didn’t take Wilder’s team to respond to this callout from Usyk, as Wilder’s co-manager Shelly Finkel told Sky Sportson December 1, “Usyk is a great champion. We have plans for next year, and we’d like Oleksandr Usyk to be part of them. If we receive the right offer, we would be open to that fight.”
Wilder's co-manager Shelly Finkel on the prospect of Oleksandr Usyk vs Deontay Wilder 💬 pic.twitter.com/Z7cKa523ue
While this message was technically from Wilder’s manager rather than from himself, it’s obvious that he was behind this fight callout response. And this would be a huge gift for Wilder, who didn’t appear close to fighting for a title before Usyk called him out in this way.
There’s no question that Wilder is a heavy puncher who could potentially put Usyk’s lights out. Still, the skill difference between them would likely make many boxing fans apathetic to this potential bout.
As WBN reported, a high-profile rematch against Manny Pacquiao is on the horizon for the coming year. Sources close to the planning confirm that Mayweather vs. Pacquiao 2 is already in the works for 2026, making it one of the most anticipated sequels in boxing history.
While Mayweather has yet to confirm the rematch publicly, Pacquiao is ready and willing, with the timing of the clash dependent on his pursuit of another world title in the interim.
Pacquiao’s Next Move: Rolly Romero Targeted
Manny Pacquiao, who turns 47 this December, is finalizing negotiations for a WBA Welterweight title challenge against Rolly Romero, a fight WBN first reported exclusively on September 27. Despite rumors of other opponents, MP Promotions boss Sean Gibbons confirmed Romero remains the singular focus.
“Viva Rolly for the WBA,” he told WBN. “The goal is to break his own record, make history, and win a welterweight title at 47.”
The Filipino legend confirmed the news at the Thrill in Manila 50th Anniversary press conference, emphasizing that this is not a standard comeback—it is a statement of championship ambition and legacy.
Why Rolly Romero is the Perfect Target
Romero’s aggressive, fan-friendly style ensures an explosive matchup. He has previously defeated Ryan Garcia and is known for his come-forward approach. Pacquiao’s team sees him as the perfect opponent to deliver a definitive war that both honors his legacy and sets up a historic showdown with Mayweather.
Gibbons added, “Rolly Romero has the WBA belt. He is the perfect test for Manny to make history again.”
The Timeline to Record-Breaking Glory
Pacquiao’s title clash against Romero is reportedly targeted for January or February in Las Vegas. Should he succeed, a first defense against Mayweather could follow, giving both legends the chance to rewrite boxing history.
Mayweather, turning 49 in February, could surpass Bernard Hopkins’ record as the oldest world title-winning boxer if the rematch happens for the WBA welterweight title after May 30, 2026.
If Pacquiao wins, a Mayweather return makes for another historic event. While the path is complex, Pacquiao’s willingness to speak to the media and insiders’ confirmation put MayPac 2 closer to reality than ever before.
Mayweather’s Record Bid
This is more than a comeback story. It is a potentially record-breaking narrative spanning two of boxing’s greatest icons. Mayweather could achieve history at 49, while Pacquiao continues his pursuit of championship glory at 47.
WBN will be tracking every development as it unfolds, giving fans exclusive insight into a fight that could define both fighters’ legacies.
The Perfect Rematch Plan
Early 2026: Pacquiao defeats Rolly for the WBA title
February 2026: MayPac 2 confirmed
June 2026: Mayweather vs Pacquiao 2 for the WBA title and Hopkins’ record
