Oleksandr Usyk coach plays down threat of ‘simple’ Deontay Wilder

The unbeaten Ukrainian has been linked with the American in recent weeks

Alex Pattle
Combat Sports Correspondent
Monday 24 October 2022 09:01 EDT
Comments
Deontay Wilder Reveals What Would be the Biggest Fight in the World

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Oleksandr Usyk’s assistant coach Sergey Lapin has played down the threat posed by Deontay Wilder, claiming that the American is a ‘simple’ fighter.

Usyk, who last fought in August, has been linked with Wilder in recent weeks, and the “Bronze Bomber” returned to the ring this month after a year-long lay-off to knock out Robert Helenius in the first round.

WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO heavyweight champion Usyk, following his second decision win against Anthony Joshua in 11 months, was expected to fight Tyson Fury next to crown an undisputed title holder. However, Fury will instead take on Derek Chisora in a trilogy bout on 3 December, despite having already beaten his fellow Briton twice.

Fury, 34, has said he intends to fight Usyk, 35, after his clash with Chisora, while Usyk could face Wilder in the meantime.

“Deontay Wilder is a name that’s been mentioned,” Lapin told Lord Ping. “Usyk does not fear Wilder. From Wilder’s last fight, I didn’t see anything new.

“This guy is very simple. He goes out and hits and he has a very strong punch. He compensates for his lack of technique.”

Usyk and WBC champion Fury are both undefeated, while Wilder – whom Fury dethroned in the second fight of the pair’s trilogy – had never been beaten as a professional until his rivalry with the Briton.

Wilder, 37, and Fury fought to a controversial draw in 2018 as the American retained the WBC belt, but he lost it to the “Gypsy King” with a stoppage defeat in 2020. Fury then replicated that result in their third fight, in October 2021, to keep hold of the gold.

Meanwhile, Usyk took the WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO heavyweight titles from Joshua in September 2021, beating the Briton on points in London.

Usyk then won against “AJ” via a narrower margin this August to retain the belts in Saudi Arabia.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in