Overview
- At the WBC convention, president Mauricio Sulaiman said Usyk’s petition for a voluntary defense was granted, making Wilder eligible despite his lower ranking.
- An IBF spokesperson said the federation is not next in the rotation and would only intervene if an IBF mandatory defense were due.
- Usyk publicly identified Wilder as his preferred opponent, while Wilder’s manager Shelly Finkel said they are open to the matchup if the offer is right.
- Multiple reports describe verbal agreement and 2026 talks without a signed contract or confirmed date or venue.
- Usyk vacated the WBO title in November, elevating Fabio Wardley to champion, and Wardley’s camp has criticized the move as avoiding a mandatory while Wilder’s recent skid and knockout power shape debate over the bout’s merit.