Usyk Granted Voluntary Title Defense Vs. Wilder
The WBC has granted Oleksandr Usyk’s request to make a voluntary defense of his heavyweight title against Deontay Wilder.
The WBC facilitated this by elevating Wilder into the division’s top-10 rankings, making him an eligible contender. The decision means Usyk can bypass a potentially less lucrative or appealing defense against the winner of Lawrence Okolie vs. Moses Itauma, who have been ordered to face each other provided they win their next fights. The news of the Usyk-Wilder voluntary defense has been confirmed by the WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman and Team Usyk executive Serhii Lapin.
“Deontay Wilder is ranked No 8 or 9 so he’s eligible to challenge Oleksandr Usyk if they wish to do so. Usyk did petition for a voluntary defence which was granted today,” Sulaiman
“Beating a man like that strengthens Usyk’s legacy and closes another important chapter in heavyweight history. This isn’t just a fight. It’s an event that draws massive attention from fans, the media and the entire industry,” Lapin