Wilder was previously linked with the Ukrainian champion before talks cooled.
Usyk was exploring a fight with Wilder earlier this year after losing interest in the Fabio Wardley fight and relinquishing one of his belts. Discussions about the heavyweight title circulated for months, but the fight never reached the contract stage.
The landscape has changed rapidly. Usyk is now expected to defend his title against kickboxing champion Rico Verhoeven in Egypt in May, part of a plan he says includes three more fights before retirement.
That short list also includes a potential matchup between Fabio Wardley and Daniel Dubois, and a third fight with Tyson Fury. Wilder’s name was not mentioned.
The former WBC heavyweight champion said that not doing anything made him sad.
“Well, there’s no Deontay Wilder there? He’s changed subjects,” Wilder told the Daily Mail.
Wilder suggested that his reputation as one of the most dangerous boxers in the division could have played a role.
“Most of the time when people meet me and see me, there’s a sense of intimidation,” said Wilder.
However, he insisted that this situation does not change his approach.
“We’ll see if it happens, if it doesn’t happen that doesn’t diminish my dreams,” said Wilder. “I’m still here or he’s there, no matter who’s here, I didn’t come from another youth in this section.
Wilder’s attention soon turns to a different assignment. The American boxer is scheduled to face veteran Derek Chisora on April 4 in London, a fight that came together after drawn-out talks with Usyk.
Wilder said the timeline in the Usyk negotiations simply moved too slowly for a fighter at his stage of the game.
“Even though we were talking to Usyk, we didn’t have a date and place yet, we were still wandering,” Wilder told talkSPORT.
“In boxing, things are either too slow or too fast. There’s no in between. And this was too slow.”
At 40, Wilder said waiting was not an option.
“I’m an old fighter, I can’t just sit like a young person. So when we talked to Usyk, we started talking to Chisora.”
By the time the talks with Usyk started again, the Chisora deal had come to an end.
“When we signed Chisora, that’s when Usyk’s people came in and said, ‘Okay, let’s go, we’re ready’,” said Wilder. “But I wouldn’t do Chisora like that.”
For Wilder, the focus now shifts to the fight in London. Chisora remains one of the class’s best pressure fighters, a man who forces exchanges and keeps the pace high.
The task is clear. Wilder still has a right hand that can end a fight when it lands. Now he has to start collecting wins if he wants his name to be mentioned again when the heavyweight belts are up for grabs.
