Wilder Talk Has Split Fans
Usyk has publicly expressed interest in fighting Deontay Wilder in 2026, provided the WBC signs off on a voluntary defence. That possibility has divided opinion.
Some fans see Wilder as a fading contender whose recent form doesn’t justify a title opportunity. Others argue the fight still carries danger, even if they expect Usyk to outbox him over the distance.
The scepticism isn’t about Usyk’s ability. It’s about whether Wilder still belongs at that level. Many view the matchup as a high-profile defence rather than a necessary one.
As the Wilder discussion continues, calls are growing for Usyk to face younger, in-form heavyweights.
Names like Agit Kabayel and Moses Itauma are being raised more frequently, with fans questioning why the division’s momentum fighters remain on the outside while the champion waits.
There is also lingering interest in a third fight with Tyson Fury, though fatigue has set in among supporters who feel that rivalry has already been settled.
The common thread is impatience. Usyk’s position is secure. The division around him is not.
Inactivity and a Stalled Division
Usyk has not fought since his July 2025 knockout win over Daniel Dubois. Since then, the heavyweight picture has drifted.
Usyk has not been ordered to face a mandatory challenger. Titles have gone unchallenged. Sanctioning bodies have shown little urgency in forcing action, even as parts of the belt structure remain unresolved.
That lack of movement has started to reflect back on the champion, fairly or not. Fans understand Usyk doesn’t control the entire system, but patience is thinning as months pass without clarity.
P4P Status Isn’t the Real Argument
The Ring Magazine recently placed Usyk at No. 1 pound-for-pound following the retirement of Terence Crawford. While some debate has followed, it has been muted compared to past rankings shifts.
Most accept the logic. Usyk has been undisputed twice and beaten elite opposition across divisions. The louder objections tend to focus on activity. Critics point out that he often fights once per year, contrasting that with more active champions like Naoya Inoue.
Still, even those arguments circle back to the same issue: the wait.
The Question Isn’t Legacy — It’s Timing
Usyk’s legacy is largely settled. Fans see him as the top heavyweight of his era. What remains unresolved is how the final phase of his career plays out.
Who he fights next will matter less for validation and more for momentum. The division is in limbo, and the champion’s next move will determine whether it stays there.
Right now, the debate around Usyk isn’t about whether he’s the best. It’s about how long boxing is willing to wait before proving it again.
