WBA, IBF, WBO, IBO heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk is backing Deontay Wilder to overcome Anthony Joshua in a potential clash of former titleholders.

Usyk picked up two of the biggest wins of his career against Joshua.

In 2021, Usyk defeated Joshua over twelve rounds to capture the unified crown. A year later, Usyk once again came out on top with another twelve round decision win.

Over the last few months, there have been discussions to match Joshua against Wilder, who is widely regarded as one of the most dangerous one-punch hitters in the entire sport.

Wilder has been out of the ring for over a year, after blowing away Robert Helenius in one round. Joshua recently picked up a seventh round knockout of Helenius.

There were negotiations to have Joshua and Wilder collide on a date in December in Saidi Arabia. After some changes with the management company running boxing in Saudi, the fight is now pushed back to March or April of next year.

If the fight actually comes off, Usyk is siding with Wilder's punching power to lead him to victory.

“Wilder’s incredible streak is that if he hits once, one is unable to fight back,” Usyk said on USYK17. "I’m going with Wilder, 60-40 in favor of Wilder. He hits incredibly hard. Deontay’s able to send someone flying when he touches them.”

For Usyk's part, he is heading to Saudi Arabia next weekend, to watch WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury take part in a non-title crossover boxing match with Francis Ngannou.

There is already a deal in place for Fury and Usyk to collide in a full division unification.

“Yes, I’m going there. I would like to see the bout,” Usyk said.