Boxing
Deontay Wilder explains why he didn’t fight Usyk
Published
3 months agoon
Deontay Wilder claims that the long-discussed fight with Oleksandr Usyk did not fall apart at the negotiating table – it was never in line with the plan already being implemented.
Wilder told Fight Hub TV that Usyk’s idea was a possibility “in moments,” but as the buzz grew, there was still no confirmed date or place for talks to begin.
With no date or location set, Wilder returned his focus to a fight that had been in the works for much longer.
Chisora’s fight was already on the move
Wilder explained that negotiations to fight Derek Chisora had been ongoing for months and were initially scheduled to take place in December before other circumstances delayed them.
“Me and Derek have been working on the fight for a very long time,” Wilder said. “Actually, this fight was supposed to take place in December, you know what I mean, but due to other situations and things, it didn’t happen.”
Before Usyk’s name entered solemn discussion, Wilder said that the agreement with Chisora was already part of a broader plan that he did not want to abandon.
Usyk’s conversations lacked structure
Wilder said Usyk was the first to mention the fight, which sparked a wave of attention and conversation. But he also suggested that the situation never emerged with the fundamentals needed to move things forward quickly.
“He was the first one to mention it, he wanted to fight me,” Wilder said, describing how talks gained momentum. “But I don’t think they, you know, really had a set date, a place that they wanted to go that was still happening. And, you know, the clock is ticking, ticking.”
As World Boxing News exclusively reported last year, Shelly Finkel wanted Wilder in the ring by the end of 2025. At the age of 40, Wilder stressed that waiting without guidance was not an option.
“I can’t sit idly by, I can’t sit idly by,” Wilder said. “And of course we have plans for what we want to do to get to the top.”
Time beyond chance
Instead of viewing the situation as rejection, Wilder described it as time and progress. He said his path back has already been mapped out and he needs a step that fits what comes next.
“The second fight will be at a slightly different level than my opponent, but a bit more,” Wilder said. “And then along came Derek Chisora (fight), who was on par the whole time because we need someone like that.”
Wilder made it clear that interest in Usyk had increased, even though his own career path had already been mapped out. Without a solid framework for action, he was not prepared for time to stand still.
The opportunity may return. For now, the division has gone further. According to Wilder, this time it wasn’t about fear or money. It was about the lack of a plan and the fact that he didn’t want to sit still while creating one.
The immediate consequence is clear: the path to the WBC title has changed, with president Mauricio Sulaiman stating that Usyk must next face mandatory challenger Agit Kabayel.
About the author
Phil Jay is the editor-in-chief of World Boxing News (WBN), boxing veteran with over 15 years of experience. Read the full biography.
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The Dubois family has already produced two world champions. Now another name is starting to attract attention in British boxing.
Daniel Dubois and sister Caroline turned the family name into one of the most celebrated names in British boxing, but now a different Dubois is quietly emerging from the amateur ranks.
According to many, including Stanley’s father, Solomon Dubois may finally become the best of them all.
Another Dubois appears
The 13-year-old turned heads at national tournaments as he developed under the Dubois umbrella. Stanley, the man who helped shape Daniel and Caroline into world champions, is overseeing his second son’s progress.
Daniel himself has publicly endorsed Solomon to one day become a major force in the sport as the youngest member of the fighting family continues his rise.
This naturally creates expectations.
Over the years, a lot has been written and said about the Dubois family, but not all of it was positive. Family feuds, public disagreements, pressure and media attention have followed the name for much of Daniel and Caroline’s career.
Fresh chapter
However, in Solomon’s case, there is already a feeling that boxing could be the beginning of a fresh chapter.
As Daniel and Caroline gradually enter the final stages of their careers, Solomon is just beginning his own journey.
The pressure is already on, but he is following in the footsteps that will be able to impart significant knowledge.
When a family has already produced two world champions, expectations arise long before title fights or professional contracts emerge.
That’s what makes Solomon’s situation so fascinating, because the noise around him isn’t the result of random social media hype designed to produce the next substantial thing.
This belief clearly exists within the family itself.
Stanley has long suggested that Solomon may naturally possess an agility and raw ability that simply cannot be taught.
The pressure comes early
At the same time, there is an obvious danger in placing too much expectation on someone so newborn.
The history of boxing is full of prospects who faced pressure before they were physically and mentally ready to handle it.
For now, Solomon remains a student learning his craft with one of the most recognizable names in British boxing.
A professional move and a likely collaboration with Frank Warren will almost certainly come later if he continues to make progress.
However, at the moment it’s simply a matter of keeping his feet on the ground as the attention around him continues to grow.
Because if the Dubois family’s beliefs prove correct, British boxing may finally discover that the most talented Dubois was the youngest all along.
About the Author
Phil Jay is the editor-in-chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a boxing veteran with over 15 years of experience. Read the full biography.
Boxing
Keyshawn Davis vs. Nahir Albright 2 Saturday night, live on DAZN
Published
2 hours agoon
May 15, 2026
In October 2023, rising contender Keyshawn Davis entered the ring for an intense fight against Nahir Albright. In the first round of the fight, Albright used his feints and changed levels with his jab.
In the first round, Davis managed to land a well-timed right hand. Over the next few rounds, Keyshawn Davis established range and as a result, started landing his combinations.
Halfway through the 10-round fight, Davis was in complete control, consistently launching counterattacks. During the final three rounds of the fight, Albright found success in punching with his right hand.
Albright was competitive but didn’t seem to be doing enough to win rounds. At the conclusion of the 10-round contest, Davis was declared the winner by majority decision.
Two weeks later, Keyshawn Davis was confirmed to have tested positive for marijuana. Davis received a 90-day suspension and his majority victory over Nahir Albright was changed to a no-contest.
Following his match with Keyshawn Davis, Nahir Albright’s boxing career came to an end after a 19-month hiatus. In June 2025, Nahir Albright stepped back into the squared circle to face Keyshawn’s older brother, Kelvin Davis.
Albright was very aggressive as he hurt Davis in the second and fourth rounds. Albright set the pace of the fight and won a convincing victory.
After the fight ended, Keyshawn and his younger brother Keon jumped Albright backstage. According to Albright, the Davis brothers entered his locker room and Keyshawn headbutted him, leaving a lump on his right eye.
Following the incident, police escorted Keyshawn Davis from the arena. Davis was initially scheduled to headline the event, but he weighed 4.3 pounds over the legal weight limit and was stripped of his WBO world title.
After this embarrassing incident, Keyshawn Davis redeemed himself in January 2026 when he dominated Jamaine Ortiz. Now Davis is ready to take care of unfinished business on Saturday night.
Keyshawn “The Businessman” Davis didn’t look like a pro on Friday afternoon when he weighed in at 140.2 pounds. Davis stripped down to his bare essentials and weighed 140.1 pounds.
After his second failed attempt, Davis was given two hours to reach the 140-pound limit. A tiny time later, Davis returned to the scale and weighed 140 pounds.
Performance wise, Keyshawn Davis is a striking boxer who has poise, timing, a solid jab and a high ring IQ, is an elite counter puncher, has excellent punch placement and is deadly when landing body shots.
His opponent, Nahir Albright, has a quick jab, is elusive, has good footwork, uses head movement regularly, is tough and used to throwing a series of punches.
The grudge match will be held on Saturday evening, May 16, at the Scope Arena. Norfolk native Keyshawn Davis wants to make a statement to his hometown fans, but his opponent, Nahir Albright, plans to play the role of spoiler.
Sports and entertainment writer. She was born and raised in Up-to-date Orleans. He attended college at PURDUE UNIVERSITY
“I just don’t think they’re going to face the fire,” Hearn told iFL TV about Dana White and his company at Zuffa.
“You have years of catching, putting out fires and being bombarded with pellets and grenades to overcome this.
“I just don’t think they’ll be ready for the fire. You must be a little unwell.” [__] to do this. That’s what I do.”
Hearn also ridiculed White’s recent comments about boxing promotion and said the UFC president faces criticism now that he is in the boxing industry.
“He stank,” Hearn said.
“He’s not used to this. Don’t forget what we do, which is meeting people, giving interviews. But he had a narrative.
“He didn’t have anyone like that. That’s why he can’t do it and instead just says weird lyrics.”
Hearn later joked that White’s repeated comments about him actually helped escalate his visibility in the United States.
“I have to thank Dana White,” Hearn said.
“Every press conference he holds, he talks about me.
“I think there are people asking, ‘Who is this Eddie Hearn?’ Little Google, boss, Eddie Hearn.
Promoter Matchroom also rejected White’s recent claim that no promoter has staged more boxing events this year than Zuffa Boxing.
“The entire media audience responded, ‘Okay,’ and moved on to the next question,” Hearn said.
“Imagine if I said that. I would be fried by it in an instant.”
Hearn’s latest comments come as Zuffa Boxing continues to try to establish itself in the sport following months of public photos between White and several longtime boxing promoters.

Robert Segal is a boxing reporter at Boxing News 24 with over a decade of experience covering fight news, previews and analysis. Known for his first-hand reporting and in-ring perspective, he delivers trustworthy coverage of champions, challengers and emerging talent from around the world.
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