Deontay Wilder could still retire as a two-weight world champion after WBC bridgeweight titleholder Kevin Lerena told World Boxing News he would welcome a fight with the former heavyweight ruler.

The opportunity remains a real possibility as Wilder will naturally climb around the WBC bridgeweight limit of 224 pounds following his recent victory over Derek Chisora, keeping the long-discussed path to a second world title alive should the American decide to pursue another shot at the championship.

Current champion Lerena confirmed to WBN that he would give Wilder a chance without hesitation.

“I would 100 percent give Deontay Wilder a shot at the title,” Lerena told World Boxing News exclusively on Wednesday.

“He is always risky, as he showed in the fight with Derek Chisora. Wilder is one of the toughest boxers of our era. However, I do not back down from any man. I respect everyone and I am not afraid of anyone.”

Deontay Wilder’s bridgeweight option

The possibility of an Olympic bronze medalist winning a second world title outside the heavyweight division had existed for years.

World Boxing News previously revealed that the WBC would approve Wilder for a bridgeweight title shot if he continued with that decision, and president Mauricio Sulaiman confirmed that the sanctioning body would have no problem approving the fight if the fighters reached an agreement.

Even earlier in the division’s history, former champion Oscar Rivas was willing to defend his title against Wilder, showing that the American’s name immediately attracts attention in a newer weight class.

Lerena himself has already talked about the possibility of facing Wilder. Shortly after being elevated to full champion, the South African told WBN he would be open to giving the American a shot at the 224-pound title if the opportunity presented itself.

Wilder himself rejected the division when it was first introduced, insisting that his career would remain at heavyweight, even though the WBC indicated that he would be eligible to fight for the bridgeweight title if he exercised that option.

Since then, the landscape surrounding it has changed significantly.

The future of the heavyweight division is uncertain

After Wilder’s latest victory, there was little fanfare about what might come next.

There are still rumors about a fight with Anthony Joshua, but many observers consider this fight to be challenging for the American at this stage of his career. Others even suggested that he should leave after the victory rather than risk another painful defeat.

Wilder’s weaknesses have been exposed in recent years, and a heavyweight more risky than Derek Chisora ​​could arguably test those weaknesses again.

Moving up to bridge weight involves a different equation.

Lerena is not a airy boxer, but the “Bronze Bomber” would have an advantage over an opponent who would have to weigh the same as him. This is where the danger increases for the champion, who would lose the physical advantage that many heavyweights have abused him over the years.

Wilder’s weight advantage

The WBC bridge weight limit of 224 pounds is within Wilder’s natural range.

The former champion weighed 226 pounds before his fight with Chisora ​​in London and 225 pounds before his fight with Tyrrell Herndon in July 2025. Early in his career, Wilder often competed well below that mark and even talked about moving up to cruiserweight, a division twenty-four pounds lighter than bridgeweight.

Under these circumstances, the Alabama knockout fighter wouldn’t have to drastically change his preparation to reach the limit.

The idea of ​​Wilder finally winning the second division crown has huge benefits as the American seeks another path back to championship prominence.

If Wilder decided to take advantage of this opportunity, few would envy him if he tried to end his career as a two-division world champion.

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.