Deontay Wilder in talks to face Murat Gassiev after Oleksandr Usyk plans collapse

Deontay Wilder is in talks to challenge WBA heavyweight beltholder Murat Gassiev after failing to agree to a deal with Oleksandr Usyk.

Wilder, 45-4-1 (43 KOs), outpointed Derek Chisora in April after losing four of his previous six bouts. The 41-year-old former WBC titlist had been in the running to face Usyk before the Ukrainian opted to return to cruiserweight.

“He [Usyk] wants too much money,” Wilder told IBA. “That’s what I’m hearing. If that’s the case, you have to get what you feel you’re worth. I’ve lost a lot of money and I’ve made a lot of money, but when it comes to making fights, I just like to see who’s the best.

“I want to fight the people who are supposed to be the best. When it’s all over, the money isn’t going to go with you when you die. The belts aren’t going to go with you either. But your legacy will live on forever.”

Wilder hasn’t held a belt since losing to Tyson Fury in February 2020. His form dipped following that defeat and their third fight in 2021, even accounting for his recent victory over Chisora.

Even so, Wilder claims he feels like he’s 19.

“Age is nothing but a number. We’re not getting old, we’re just getting older. What we can control is how we feel, what we eat and what we put into our bodies.”

Wilder, who believes the heavyweight division is struggling, hopes to secure a fight with Gassiev, 34-2 (27 KOs).

“There is some communication between me and Murat’s team for sure, and I would love that. Out of all the choices, I would love for that one to go,” Wilder said. “He’s a great guy, a great champion. He’s been to my camps before, and we’ve sparred. To see him as a champion is well deserved.