By Craig Daly: Bob Arum says he likes Deontay Wilder to beat unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk if that fight happens.
Arum feels that Usyk (20-0, 13 KOs) is too small for the former WBC heavyweight champion Wilder and doesn’t punch like him.
Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn says Wilder (42-2-1, 41 KOs) wouldn’t win a round against Usyk. Arum feels different.
He thinks Wilder hits hard enough to where he’ll connect with one of his big shots sooner or later and will stop Usyk. It’s unlikely that the two will ever fight, as Usyk says he only plans on fighting three more times before retiring.
He wants Tyson Fury, Canelo Alvarez, and a fighter still to be determined for his final fight in Ukraine.
“Wilder wouldn’t win a round, but I wouldn’t wish him on my worst enemy because Wilder, as he showed against Tyson Fury, is a tough, tough out,” said Bob Arum to Fighthype when told that Eddie Hearn said that Deontay Wilder won’t win a round against Oleksandr Usyk.
“Fury was beating him until Wilder knocked Fury down twice before Fury got up and knocked Wilder out. Wilder is a very underrated fighter.
“I think Usyk may be too small for Wilder, and he doesn’t punch like Wilder. I like Wilder in that fight.
“It’s hard to tell punchers from different eras. Was he a harder puncher than Earnie Shavers? It’s hard to tell. A bigger puncher than George Foreman? It’s hard to tell. I’d say for this era, Wilder, next to Fury, is the best puncher in the heavyweight division,” said Arum.
“Everyone is subject to their own opinion,” said Wilder to Fighthype about Hearn’s prediction that he won’t win a round against Usyk. “I can’t take his opinion away nor anyone else.
“We’ll see what happens. Maybe he’s [Hearn] a little bit salty because his fighter his fighter [Anthony Joshua] got beat. Who knows?” said Wilder.
“I heard Usyk is going to be there,” said Wilder about Usyk planning on attending his October 15th fight against Robert Helenius.
“I’ll be looking forward to seeing him. Why not come and see a good show? We’re going to welcome him with open arms. I’m hoping he’s taking notes,” said Wilder.
