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Former Deontay Wilder rival explains why American will lose to Oleksandr Usyk
Former WBC heavyweight champion Bermane Stiverne is backing Oleksandr Usyk to make easy work of Deontay Wilder if the two were to meet.
Momentum appears to be gathering pace for a heavyweight clash between Usyk and Wilder in 2026, with the former calling out 'The Bronze Bomber' whilst ringside for Naoya Inoue's win against Alan Picasso.
If Usyk-Wilder was to be made, the Ukrainian would be a huge favourite against a former world champion who many believe should be calling time on his boxing career.
Wilder does not have the ability to beat Usyk, says Stiverne
Unified champion Usyk is the number one fighter in the heavyweight division, and he has proven he can deal with all manner of opponents.
From the physically imposing Anthony Joshua to the slick Tyson Fury, there is no reason why Usyk could not beat Wilder with ease.
The American however does have an equaliser in his knockout power, but since his trilogy with Fury, Wilder has looked a shadow of his former self and has suffered disappointing defeats to Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang.
At the age of 40, Wilder is on the hunt for one last big pay day and a meeting with Usyk would be just that.
Stiverne, a previous Wilder opponent, gave his prediction for the contest when speaking to Hard Rock Bet and he is giving 'The Bronze Bomber' no chance of beating one of the world's best pound-for-pound fighters.
"I have to go with Usyk, of course. I think a lot of people believe that right now, Oleksandr Usyk is the number one pound-for-pound fighter right now. He’s proven himself. There’s nothing you can take away from him right now. He’s the man," Stiverne said.
"Just like once upon a time, Tyson Fury was the man but right now, Usyk is on top of his game and Usyk is definitely the man to beat right now.
"I don’t think Deontay Wilder has the power or ability to defeat Oleksandr Usyk. First of all, he’s a southpaw. He can box, he can move, and the way he positions himself — his angles and everything like that is going to give Wilder a lot of problems.
"No, I don’t think Oleksandr Usyk should have any issues if they fight next."
While Stiverne believes Wilder and his punching power will not trouble Usyk, he has been on the wrong end of a Wilder knockout after being dispatched in the first round of their heavyweight contest in 2017.
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