Boxing
'It's very likely' - Oleksandr Usyk's manager on next fight
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Egis Klimas, the manager of Oleksandr Usyk, expects the latter’s next opponent to be Deontay Wilder.
Usyk hasn’t fought since becoming undisputed heavyweight champion for the second time when knocking out Daniel Dubois in the fifth round of their blockbuster at Wembley Stadium in London in July.
The 38-year-old from Ukraine has yet to announce his next move but Klimas has dropped a big hint that his opponent will be Wilder, who held the WBC title for five years before losing it in his rematch with Tyson Fury in 2020.
Wilder has lost three of his five outings since that defeat but he got back on the winning trail when stopping Tyrrell Anthony Herndon in the 7th round of their contest in June and he is seeking another title opportunity.
“It’s very likely [we will see Usyk face Wilder],” Klimas told The National.
“Because right now we're working on it, and we're working on some multi-fight agreement for Oleksandr.
“As soon as we're going to confirm that, we're going to jump in. And some talks already are going on with the team of Wilder.
“We're looking at Las Vegas or Los Angeles, and dates are the end of April, beginning of May.
“Wilder is one of the best names [that] Oleksandr didn't face yet. He's still in good shape, and he's still a fighter, so he's interesting. And as well, it's the United States.”
Klimas also revealed that Usyk has split from Riyadh Season and is now in talks with a US promoter over a new multi-fight deal.
Usyk’s last three fights have been on Riyadh Season shows, including two against Tyson Fury in the Saudi capital, but his next fight will be under a new promotional banner.
Asked if Riyadh Season would be promoting Usyk’s next fight, Klimas said: “No, actually, that's a different group from the United States.
“It's not official yet, so I cannot tell you.”
Klimas also didn’t dismiss the idea of working with Riyadh season again in the future, adding: “I cannot say that [he will not work with them, and that] he's not going to be fighting in the Riyadh season.
“He might be fighting in the Riyadh season, but as far as right now, we don't have any offers or anything like that from them.
“[Usyk] has at least two more years, as he says. So, I cannot go inside of his body, but he feels strong. It's not time for him to hang up his gloves, and he's ready to go.”
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