Deontay Wilder has accused Oleksandr Usyk of being ‘afraid’ of fighting him, while teasing a return to the ring.

Wilder last fought in October, knocking out Robert Helenius in the first round, and Usyk last competed in August, when he outpointed Anthony Joshua for the second time in a year.

The Ukrainian is expected to defend the unified heavyweight titles against Daniel Dubois this summer, while American Wilder is without an opponent.

Discussing the prospect of a bout with Usyk, Wilder told ES News on Thursday (25 May): “I’m all for it, but he’s a little afraid – not a little afraid, but a lot afraid.

“I’m in the business, so I know a lot of things. I’m ready to go at any given moment in time, they know that.”

Addressing the collapse of negotiations between Usyk and Tyson Fury in March, Wilder added: “I’m simple, I don’t do all that stuff. I don’t put up too much of a fight as far as trying to get a fight done [goes].

“I feel like we all can eat. That’s how it should be, being able to help each other fight. It’s not about overpricing yourself out of a fight, because we’re all risking our lives. Damn, let us all at least get a piece of the f***ing pie.

“I’ve always given people a piece of the pie, because you just never know what’s gonna happen in and out of that ring. But they don’t make them like me, man, I’m very rare.”

Wilder, 37, also spoke about his own return to the ring, saying: “I’ll be back real soon, I promise, you don’t want to miss it.

“[Usyk], stay ready so you don’t have to get ready.”

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