Usyk faces a dangerous final test against Wilder

The Ukrainian could be in for a tougher farewell than expected

Oleksandr Usyk’s planned bout with Deontay Wilder looks like a farewell fight that will send two well-known heavyweight stars into retirement. After what happened against Rico Verhoeven, it’s expected that Deontay Wilder could once again pose a tough challenge for Oleksandr Usyk if he isn’t careful.

Journalist Mike Coppinger reports on Inside The Ring that Oleksandr Usyk still plans to fight Deontay Wilder in March of next year in what will be his final bout, as Wilder remains the most famous and available heavyweight. Oleksandr Usyk’s performance against Rico Verhoeven has slightly changed how this matchup is viewed. He needed a stoppage in the eleventh round to end this fight early, which was actually a good thing for him since Rico Verhoeven was even ahead on one scorecard. Deontay Wilder, however, will be a completely different challenge. He employs a very different style that actually works in Oleksandr Usyk’s favor, as it allows him to make better use of his footwork and sustained jabs. The only danger would be that Oleksandr Usyk might not be able to keep his legs going for twelve rounds, which would compromise his shoulder work and overall mobility. If he doesn’t stay outside the range of Deontay Wilder’s lead hand, it could actually get dangerous. Oleksandr Usyk has proven time and again that he can always come out on top, even in tough bouts. However, Deontay Wilder is already a challenging opponent for this final fight, probably even more so than one might expect.

Deontay Wilder has also often shown that he can drag out fights and ultimately win on points. He tends to be cautious and always aims to take fights into the late rounds. If he manages that, it could be a close one again. However, we mustn’t forget that his opponent will be Oleksandr Usyk, who has also caused quite a few upsets in the past. So we’ll just have to wait and see what kind of matchup this turns out to be. Barring any unexpected developments, though, it’s relatively certain that the two will face off. Who do you think will win this matchup?