After Lawrence Okolie’s impressive victory over Lukasz Rozanski to claim the WBC bridgerweight title, the question arises about potential future opponents for the new champion. Okolie, known as “The Sauce,” has expressed his desire to remain in the bridgerweight division for the time being, with aspirations of eventually moving up to the heavyweight division in pursuit of becoming a three-weight world champion. Despite the lack of established names in the bridgerweight class, one intriguing suggestion has surfaced in the form of Deontay Wilder.
Former super middleweight champion George Groves, who provided analysis for the Okolie-Rozanski fight, proposed Deontay Wilder as a potential opponent for Okolie in the bridgerweight division. Groves speculated that Wilder, who is scheduled to face Zhilei Zhang in June followed by a possible matchup with Jared Anderson, might consider a move to bridgerweight if he sees limited opportunities for another heavyweight title shot in the near future. The idea of Wilder, a former heavyweight world champion, competing in a lower weight class to pursue a two-weight world championship adds an intriguing dimension to the bridgerweight division.
Wilder’s Past Resistance
In the past, Deontay Wilder had firmly rejected the notion of fighting in the bridgerweight division. However, circumstances have evolved since then, with Wilder’s primary focus being on securing a fourth fight against Tyson Fury in pursuit of regaining the heavyweight title. With Fury scheduled to face Oleksandr Usyk in a rematch and Anthony Joshua potentially lining up a bout for the vacant IBF belt, Wilder’s path to another heavyweight championship opportunity seems uncertain. In light of these developments, the prospect of Wilder testing his skills in bridgerweight competition becomes more plausible.
George Groves emphasized that Deontay Wilder’s stature as a former heavyweight champion and a recognizable name in the boxing world could make a transition to bridgerweight an appealing challenge for the Alabama native. While Wilder’s ultimate goal remains centered on reclaiming heavyweight supremacy, the allure of becoming a two-weight world champion may spark his interest in exploring the bridgerweight division. The potential matchups and opportunities available in bridgerweight could present Wilder with a fresh avenue to showcase his talents and add another accolade to his illustrious career.
The proposition of Deontay Wilder venturing into the bridgerweight division adds an element of intrigue and excitement to the weight class. With Lawrence Okolie’s emergence as a dominant force at bridgerweight and the prospect of Wilder’s entry into the division, the landscape of the sport could witness a captivating crossover between two distinct weight classes. As the boxing world awaits Wilder’s next move, the notion of a potential showdown in the bridgerweight division serves as a tantalizing prospect for fans and pundits alike.