Deontay Wilder names the historical icon he wishes he could face

Deontay Wilder is 2-4 in his last six fights, but is being heavily linked with a 2026 fight against Oleksandr Usyk. The Bronze Bomber was one of the most feared heavyweights for a number of years, due to his devastating punch power. When speaking to Vegas Insider, Wilder revealed his one dream opponent from boxing history.

Deontay Wilder names his dream opponent

When asked to name the one fighter he’d love to fight from boxing history, The Bronze Bomber said:

“I always say this one particular guy. Because of how I got into boxing and my nickname is named after him. Something to carry along within that name. And what I’m talking about is Joe Louis.

“You know, Joe Louis (66-3, 52 KOs) was from Alabama. He was the Brown bomber. I came along, I’m from Alabama, I won a bronze medal in the Olympics, and I became the bronze bomber.

“Let’s put the brown bomber with the bronze bomber. You know what I’m saying?

“Just got that ring to it. And I always liked that. There’s so many fighters that I can name though, because there’re so many great fighters that have come before us and that are being created.

“I’ve always said him and I had to keep it for those reasons.

“That’s another guy I would’ve loved to fight, is Evander Holyfield, one of the best in the world. I didn’t get his credit.

“He was a hell of a fighter. I could say him as well being from Alabama too. But, you know, these moments are not for certain names to be said, you know what I mean?

“It’s just, I’m an energy person. Like I said, I go out how I feel about things and what things have been asked to me or, or said to me a certain way as I know what my feelings are. And still to this day, it’s Joe Louis.

“Maybe in 20 years, it may change. I may say someone else, but Joe Louis is still the guy.”

Deontay Wilder vs Joe Louis, who would have won and how?

The future for Deontay Wilder

Despite winning his last fight against Tyrrell Herndon, Wilder (44-4-1, 43 KOs) still has questions to answer. What does he have left? Is the desire still there? Does Wilder still have the power to trouble the best heavyweights? 

Yes, winning his last fight was hugely important for the Alabama native, but there are still plenty of questions to answer. A potential fight between Deontay Wilder and Usyk looks straightforward for the mercurial Ukrainian.