Instead, Wilder remains in the picture.
Usyk describes his next appearance as likely being his “last dance,” and talks are underway with Zuffa Boxing for a farewell fight against Wilder in the United States.
“Why not? If Deontay’s team wants it, I do it. Money, business… now we have two options, but what for me is good, we will take,” Usyk told The Athletic.
The criticism is understandable. Usyk has already accomplished virtually everything available to him, but a Wilder fight at this stage would carry considerably less sporting significance than Itauma or another leading heavyweight.
Usyk also gave up his heavyweight titles rather than defend the WBC belt against mandatory challenger Agit Kabayel. Free from championship obligations, he can choose a financially rewarding final opponent rather than continue facing the division’s leading contenders.
Fans see Wilder as the softer option. He gives Usyk a former WBC champion with name recognition, a potentially lucrative fight and, based on his recent form, a relatively safe way to finish his career without taking a serious risk of losing.
Wilder held the WBC heavyweight title for five years and became one of the biggest American stars in the division, largely because of his frightening right hand. Much of that appeal has disappeared following two losses to Fury and defeats against Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang.
More telling is what has happened to Wilder’s once devastating right hand. The bazooka-like power that carried him through much of his career has not looked the same in recent years. Wilder has also discussed problems with his right shoulder, which raises another question about how much of his greatest weapon remains at 40.
That is what makes Usyk-Wilder difficult to sell as a meaningful final test. Usyk gets the former champion’s name and whatever commercial value remains without facing the type of young, dangerous heavyweight who might actually send him into retirement with a loss.
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