Overview
- At its annual convention, the WBC granted Oleksandr Usyk’s request for a voluntary defense, with president Mauricio Sulaiman noting Deontay Wilder’s No. 8–9 ranking makes him eligible to challenge.
- Usyk publicly named Wilder as his preferred next opponent, and multiple reports say the pair have a verbal agreement to meet in 2026.
- The IBF said it is not next in the mandatory rotation and would not object to Usyk facing Wilder at this stage, while the WBA’s decision remains pending.
- Usyk relinquished the WBO title in November, which elevated Britain’s Fabio Wardley to full champion, leaving Usyk holding the WBA, WBC and IBF belts.
- The WBC outlined the next mandatory pathway by confirming that a proposed Lawrence Okolie vs. Moses Itauma bout would determine the future challenger, as Wilder discussed using his jab, lateral movement and right hand to target Usyk.