Wardley made it clear that Wilder will still be in the mix if the bigger target proves out of reach.
“Obviously I would definitely entertain a Deontay Wilder fight,” Wardley told Fight Hub TV. “Priority number one is Daniel Dubois, get through that fight and get rid of him, then it would be Oleksandr Usyk, that would be my goal, but if that fight doesn’t materialize or just isn’t doable, then yes, third on the list would be Deontay Wilder.”
It’s another sign that Wilder’s name still carries value even after a difficult run in recent years. The former WBC champion is no longer seen as he was during his prime, but he remains one of the few heavyweights outside of the title picture who can still command worldwide attention.
For Wardley, a fight with Wilder is likely to attract huge interest in Britain and abroad. It will also offer a familiar opponent with knockout history and a recognizable profile, something many contenders cannot offer.
Before any of that can happen, Wardley must deal with Dubois, who enters as a dangerous test and a much more immediate problem than future matchup talk.
If Wardley wins and the Usyk route stalls, Wilder may yet find himself back in a title conversation that seemed closed not long ago. That says as much about heavyweight business as it does about Wilder himself.
Oleksandr Usyk has already strategically vacated that WBO belt in November 2025, specifically to avoid the mandatory defense against Wardley. While fans love to talk about undisputed legacy, the reality is that at 39, Usyk is in the payoff phase of his career.
If Usyk can secure a third massive payday against Tyson Fury after his fight against Rico Verhoeven in Egypt, he has no incentive to risk his remaining titles against a younger, physical powerhouse like Wardley for a fraction of the purse.
At 40, Deontay Wilder is the ultimate opportunistic opponent for a young champion like Wardley.
Even though he has lost to Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang, Wilder’s “Bronze Bomber” brand is still a draw. To the casual public, beating Wilder would help Wardley’s career.
Wilder’s win over Derek Chisora on April 4 showed that while his legs may be fading, that right hand still works against domestic opposition.
For Wardley, Wilder represents a big payday and a chance to claim a scalp that even Anthony Joshua hasn’t officially taken. In Wilder’s cast, it’s a direct ticket back to a world title he thought was gone forever.
