Former heavyweight world champion, Deontay Wilder could pursue the winner of the rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua, according to his manger Shelly Finkel.
Wilder is likely to be a keen observer when Usyk and Joshua face each other in Saudi Arabia on August 20, almost 11 months on from their first outing at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, which Usyk dominated on points to become the WBA ‘super’, IBF, WBO and IBO champion.
‘The Bronze Bomber’ is set to return later this year after spending some time away from the ring after a crushing 11th round stoppage defeat to Tyson Fury in their epic trilogy clash last October.
Finkel, his long-time manager has ruled out a showdown with Derek Chisora, who called for a meeting after beating Kubrat Pulev by split decision in their rematch earlier this month and says he could steer his charge towards the victor of Usyk and Joshua.
“Derek Chisora? He just edged a split-decision over Kubrat Pulev, no way,” Finkel told Planet Sport.
“Maybe the winner of Usyk and Joshua. I don’t know what Fury is doing?
“Maybe if Joshua wins it’s a huge fight in the UK [between those two] – there’s so many intangibles so we’re looking to see what happens in that fight [Usyk and Joshua].
“I don’t care what Fury says, we’re waiting to see what he really wants to do because if he wants to fight the winner then he’s going to get it.
“But after that, where are the top guys?
“There’s only four real top guys in the heavyweights right now – Usyk, Joshua, Fury and Deontay [Wilder].”
Wilder announced his intentions to return to the ring at a statue unveiling in his hometown of Alabama in May.
“I can’t stop right here,” the 36-year-old said.
“I must continue my journey. I have to, I have to.”
Although, he appeared to suggest he was undecided in a later clip posted on ES News.
“I may come back, I may not,” Wilder told ES News.
“I’m having such a great time outside of the ring, you know.
“You got to understand that I make more money outside of the ring than in it.”
The American is rated as the number one contender behind WBC titlist, Fury who announced his retirement after beating Dillian Whyte at Wembley Stadium in April, although the 33-year-old is yet to vacate his belt and is expected to be lured back for the winner of Usyk-Joshua in an undisputed title bout.
Should Fury keep to his retirement vow, however and relinquish his crown, then Wilder would be in line for a shot at the vacant belt against Joe Joyce, who is ranked at two with the governing body.
Fury’s co-promoter Frank Warren told talkSPORT last week that he had heard that Wilder will face Robert Helenius when he returns, although Finkel admits that nothing is finalised.
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“I’m looking at everything and we’re going to be making our decision but we’re not there [yet].
“We’ve gotten several calls, I don’t know how real they are from outside of the US and the UK and we’re checking those out.
“Then once if any of those are real, that’ll dictate another opponent.”
