Deontay Wilder has opened up on how Oleksandr Usyk turned down offers to fight him.
The unified heavyweight champion is currently set to face Daniel Dubois on August 26th, 2023.
While that may be the case, the Ukrainian had been linked with an undisputed fight against Tyson Fury in April only for talks to break down.
There is still optimism that the two will face each other in 2024, but it appears that Wilder was also keen on facing Usyk.
Wilder Says Usyk Rejected 'A lot of Money' To Fight: That Man is Terrified of Me https://t.co/FhKtiTXS1M pic.twitter.com/yZx3lWNxgV
— BoxingScene.com (@boxingscene) July 3, 2023
“That man is terrified of me. He’s dodged me so many times and I know. And don’t act like I don’t know, I don’t want anyone to come out like, ‘Usyk said this and that.
“It would be a lie because I know a lot of sh!t. I’m in the business, I know. He’s been offered a lot of money to fight me, many times. But he’s denied it. They said they do not want Bomb Squad problems,” Wilder
Much in the same way, Wilder is struggling to finalize a deal with Andy Ruiz Jr.
Fallouts have emerged over the purse split with Wilder’s team reportedly offering a 70-30 split only for the Mexican’s side to demand an even split.
And if the ‘Bronze Bomber’ cannot get a run out, then a potential fight with Anthony Joshua in Saudi Arabia could be pushed back even further.
And yet, the ‘Bronze Bomber’ does not appear fazed by that as the former WBC champion is backing himself against Joshua even without a tune-up fight.
“I’m still looking to fight, but if a situation comes where I have to sit out, then so be it. I’ve built myself to the point where I can either take opportunities or sit out without worrying about money.
“Everything I have, I own. We’ve got some things lined up, everything is lined up. So I can sit, rest, and do what I do; I can chill. I paid the cost to be the boss and live how I want,” Wilder