Monday 19 January 2015 11:01, UK
Deontay Wilder would be willing to offer Tyson Fury a world title shot if he takes the WBC heavyweight belt from Bermane Stiverne.
The 29-year-old from Alabama will attempt to end America’s wait for its next heavyweight champion when he faces Stiverne in Las Vegas on Saturday.
Victory over the Haitian would make Wilder one of the hottest properties in boxing and a unification clash with Wladimir Klitschko is top of his agenda.
But ‘The Bronze Bomber’ could be forced to wait in line for the Ukrainian, who has collected the WBA, IBF and WBO titles while dominating the division.
Bryant Jennings, another American, is expected to challenge Klitschko in April and Wilder would turn his attention to Fury as his next possible opponent.
He told Sky Sports: “If that fight does take place - in my perfect world - I would love to have a title defence against Tyson Fury, maybe in the UK, over there at the end of the year, then a unification bout against Klitschko.
“That would be a hell of a year.”
Fury has already secured a shot at Klitschko’s WBO title after his recent rematch win over Dereck Chisora and will warm up with a fight against Christian Hammer in February.
Heated exchanges on social media have stoked up the rivalry between Wilder and Fury, but the former US Olympian refused to write off the Mancunian’s chances of dethroning Klitschko.
“It will definitely be a mind-thinking game, whoever can punish the other,” he said. “I can‘t say whether Klitschko will beat him or whether he will beat Klitschko.
“Klitschko doesn’t often fight too many tall fighters and - being in there with a tall fighter before in sparring - there’s always that battle between each other.
“We’ve already seen Tyson on the ground a couple of times with the small heavyweights. That’s my only concern. If he gets hit by Wladimir, what will happen? Will he get up?”
The unbeaten Wilder has stopped all his 32 opponents and would relish the chance to test out Fury’s punch resistance.
Asked whether Fury could withstand his power, he replied: “That would depend on how much heart or willing he had.
“I pack a great punch and we’ll have to find out. If everything goes to plan then we’ll see.”
If he does come back and cause some noise in the heavyweight division, then that’s one more guy to entertain the division and bring it back.
Wilder sparred with David Haye before injuries forced the Londoner to cancel a clash with Fury and rumours of the former WBA champion's comeback have quietened in recent months.
His return to the ring would be welcomed by Wilder, who is keen to battle another big name but is unsure whether the 33-year-old Haye can still compete at the top level.
“That’s going to be up to David," he added. "That’s going to be how his body reacts. He only knows his own body himself. He knows how he feels with the injuries.
“If he does come back and cause some noise as a heavyweight, then that’s one more guy to entertain the division and bring it back.
"He’s accomplished a lot by coming into the heavyweight division. He doesn’t have too much to prove anymore.
“If he doesn’t come back, he can pat himself on the back and he’s done a great job. If he does come back, then welcome back and let’s go, baby.”
