Deontay Wilder gives verdict on Anthony Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk as he predicts ‘easy’ win

Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk hold a press conference ahead of their rematch

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Deontay Wilder has predicted that Oleksandr Usyk will ‘easily’ beat Anthony Joshua on August 20. ‘The Bronze Bomber’ is back in the ring on October 15 against Robert Helenius and has given his verdict on the current heavyweight landscape.

“My heart says Usyk easily, he’s got the momentum now and how he was able to deal with it the last time around,” Wilder told the PBC Podcast. “But this is boxing at the end of the day, and you never know how it’s going to end. At the end of the day, I wish them the best of luck and hope they get out of the ring just like they came in – safe and sound.”

Wilder had hinted at retirement following his brutal knockout loss to Tyson Fury in their trilogy bout last October but came out to announce that he will box again earlier this year. For a time, it seemed as though a fight with Helenius would never happen after it was confirmed that ‘The Nordic Nightmare’ was consulting lawyers about his ongoing situation regarding his WBA mandatory status.

Back in 2020, Helenius defeated Adam Kownacki in a WBA final eliminator bout to determine the next challenger for the winner of Joshua and Usyk for the WBA (super), IBF, and WBO titles.

With the belts tied up between the pair after their rematch clause was activated, Helenius defeated Kownacki again, further affirming his position at the front of the line. However, he has since been dropped to No2 in the rankings and is currently sitting behind No1 ranked Michael Hunter and WBA (regular) champion Daniel Dubois in the pecking order.

Providing Wilder defeats the Finnish puncher in two months’ time he could be in line to face Joshua next. The Brit’s promoter Eddie Hearn recently told Seconds Out that he has tabled an offer to Wilder’s management but is yet to receive a response.

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He said: “I actually reached out to Shelly Finkel the other day because I have got so much money for Deontay Wilder in an offer, but they never come back to me, so I don’t know whether Deontay Wilder doesn’t want to hear about that offer or whatever.

“Right now, standing here, I am honestly not thinking about any other fight for AJ than Saturday night, they all come through victory, do you know what I mean? I think if he loses the Wilder fight is there, if he wins all he’s thinking about is that final fight with Fury to win all the belts.”

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