Boxing
Fabio Wardley says Wilder will be on the shortlist if the Usyk fight falls through
Wardley made it clear that Wilder would still be in the mix if a bigger target proved out of reach.
“Obviously I would definitely have fun fighting Deontay Wilder,” Wardley told Fight Hub TV. “The number one priority is Daniel Dubois, to get through this fight and get rid of him. Then it would be Oleksandr Usyk, that would be my goal, but if this fight doesn’t happen or is simply impossible, then yes, third on the list will be Deontay Wilder.”
It’s another sign that Wilder’s name still has value, even after a challenging run in recent years. The former WBC champion is no longer viewed as he was in the best years of his career, but he remains one of the few non-title heavyweights who can still attract worldwide attention.
For Wardley, a fight with Wilder would likely generate a lot of interest in the UK and abroad. It would also provide a high-profile opponent with a knockout history and a recognizable profile, something many contenders cannot offer.
Before that happens, Wardley must deal with Dubois, who becomes a risky test for him and a much more pressing problem than future matchmaking talks.
If Wardley wins and Usyk’s route stalls, Wilder could still get back into the title conversation, which seemed closed until recently. That says as much about the heavyweight business as it does about Wilder himself.
Oleksandr Usyk strategically vacated the WBO belt in November 2025, especially to avoid a mandatory defense against Wardley. While fans like to talk about his undisputed legacy, the reality is that Usyk, 39, is in a cash-strapped phase of his career.
If Usyk can secure a third massive payday against Tyson Fury after fighting Rico Verhoeven in Egypt, he will have no incentive to risk his remaining titles against a younger, physically powerful fighter like Wardley for a fraction of the purse.
Forty-year-old Deontay Wilder is the ultimate opportunistic opponent for a juvenile champion like Wardley.
Even though he lost to Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang, Wilder’s “Bronze Bomber” brand is still a draw. For the general public, beating Wilder would still lend a hand Wardley’s career.
Wilder’s victory over Derek Chisora on April 4 showed that while his legs may be fading, the right-hander can still hold his own against domestic-level opponents.
For Wardley, Wilder means a huge payday and a chance to claim a scalp that not even Anthony Joshua has officially claimed. With Wilder in the mix, it’s a direct ticket back to a world title he believed was gone forever.
Boxing
Gervonta Davis is currently fighting to return to one of the biggest fights in American boxing: “His team reached out”
Boxing
Devin Haney says Gervonta Davis’ team has made contact and declines to discuss the hydration clause
Devin Haney says that after years of calls for a fight, a fight with Gervonta Davis may finally be closer to reality.
Haney revealed on social media that Tank Davis’ team recently reached out about a potential fight. When the fan responded by warning him not to agree to any hydration restrictions, Haney quickly dismissed the idea.
“Never,” Haney repeated X about not wanting to agree to the rehydration clause.
The response came shortly after Haney suggested that discussions had begun between the two sides.
“I think Gervonta has gained some balls. His team has reached! We can just fight! 😅– Haney wrote.
The fight between Haney and Gervonta is one of the longest unanswered questions in boxing. Haney continued to fight multiple times during his lightweight title fight, but the fight never materialized despite years of public calls and fan demands.
San Francisco-born Haney became the undisputed lightweight champion in 2022, and Davis continued to build his profile as one of boxing’s biggest pay-per-view attractions.
Haney’s rejection of rehydration clauses will likely become a talking point if negotiations move forward. Hydration restrictions became a major topic of debate ahead of Tank’s 2023 fight with Ryan Garcia, with many fans criticizing the terms of the deal.
Devin has recently been linked to potential fights against Ryan Garcia, Shakur Stevenson and Keyshawn Davis. His latest comments put Gervonta Davis back into the conversation after years of failed attempts to make the fight happen.
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Last updated: 22/06/2026 at 17:07
Gervonta Davis is currently fighting to return to one of the biggest fights in American boxing: “His team reached out”
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