‘We’re ready’ – Deontay Wilder open to Anthony Joshua or Oleksandr Usyk fights after return against Robert Helenius
DEONTAY WILDER will be ready to fight Anthony Joshua or Oleksandr Usyk after his return against Robert Helenius.
Wilder faces former sparring partner Helenius in New York tonight, his first bout since being knocked out by Tyson Fury last year.
It is an eliminator for the WBC title, held by Fury, with the winner then facing Andy Ruiz Jr, 33, to become mandatory challenger.
So Wilder, 36, has three huge names lined up for next year, providing he beats Helenius, 38, at the Barclays Center.
He told FightHype: “You got the Usyks, Ruiz, Joshuas – they’re the top three guys that people want to see, especially Joshua.
“That’s the number one fight in the world for me, me and him.
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“Everywhere I go all I hear is people say me and Joshua, and that’s the number one fight for them as well.
“With that being said, if that is the number one fight in the world for me then that’s what I want.”
Joshua, 32, is coming off consecutive losses to Usyk, 35, who is lined up for a unification with Fury, 34, next year.
It leaves AJ set for a comeback fight on December 17, while Fury is in talks to face Derek Chisora, 38, who he beat in 2011 and 2013.
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Wilder’s manager Shelly Finkel is ready to come to the negotiation table after the heavyweight returns against Helenius.
He said: “The time will come after this fight, if he’s sincere, and Joshua wants it, we’ll make it.
“If Deontay does what he’s supposed to do, we’re ready.”