The heavy-hitting American was last seen in the professional boxing ring back in April, delivering a performance that resulted in a rare points victory against British veteran Derek Chisora. That hard-fought result marked only the second time in Wilder’s entire career that he has been forced to go the distance to secure a victory, contrasting sharply with his 43 devastating knockout wins that defined his reign of terror at the top of the heavyweight division.
That crucial victory over Chisora kept Wilder’s career alive after a shaky and uncertain few years. Prior to the bout, back-to-back losses to formidable contenders Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang left many pundits and fans feeling that retirement was looming large for the former WBC world champion. The cumulative toll of those defeats raised serious questions about whether the devastating puncher from Tuscaloosa still had the appetite and physical capability to compete at the elite level of the sport.
However, while the 41-year-old is certainly nearing the final chapters of his athletic campaign, his spirited and disciplined performance against Chisora—coupled with major, ongoing shifts in the global heavyweight ranks—has provided him with a pathway to navigate one last crack at championship-level competition. Boxing landscapes shift rapidly, and Wilder’s enduring drawing power, combined with his willingness to take on dangerous challengers, continues to make him a compelling figure for promoters and television networks alike.
Despite recent media reports indicating that he had verbally agreed to face two-time cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia on the blockbuster Tyson Fury versus Anthony Joshua undercard at Principality Stadium—a bout that would see Opetaia making his highly anticipated first move up to the heavyweight division—Wilder has now revealed a new twist in his career trajectory. Speaking candidly in a recent interview with IBA Boxing, the American knockout artist disclosed that his promotional team has been engaged in positive, ongoing conversations with Murat Gassiev, the formidable contender who has held the WBA Regular world title since his pivotal victory over Kubrat Pulev in 2025.
Expressing his genuine enthusiasm for a potential clash with the reigning WBA Regular champion, Wilder made it clear that a fight against Gassiev sits at the very top of his current wishlist. The mutual respect between the two fighters runs deeper than typical pre-fight promotional rhetoric, rooted in shared training camps from years past.
Reflecting on the prospect of sharing the ring with Gassiev, Wilder shared insights into their history together during an interview with IBA Boxing.
"I would love that," Wilder told IBA Boxing when asked about a potential showdown with Gassiev. "There is some communication between me and Murat’s team, for sure. And I would love that. Out of all the choices, I would love for that one to go."
Wilder elaborated on their previous encounters, highlighting a deep-seated respect for Gassiev’s professional work ethic, character, and accomplishments inside and outside the squared circle.
"I know him. He’s a great guy, great champion. He’s been to my camps before, and we even sparred and stuff like that before, with Abel Sanchez. They came down and sparred and stuff like that," Wilder continued. "We know him from that aspect of things, and he’s a great guy. I always thought very highly of Murat, I really have, even as a human being. And to see him as a champion, he’s well deserving."
The veteran heavyweight emphasized that transitioning from friendly sparring partners to opponents in a high-stakes professional world title fight is the natural evolution of their relationship, one that he is eager to experience where it matters most.
"Now I hope we can really get in the ring where it really counts. I would love that, but we’ll see what happens. So much movement, so many different moving pieces going on at this moment in time, and we’re just trying to get the best puzzle piece that’s going to fit perfectly for us," Wilder added, addressing the complex and fluid nature of heavyweight matchmaking in the current boxing climate.
The landscape surrounding Gassiev adds another layer of intrigue to these ongoing negotiations. In addition to being linked with a potential high-stakes battle against Wilder, the WBA Regular titleholder has also found his name mentioned alongside other heavy-hitting heavyweights such as Jarrell Miller and a potential rematch or alternative pairing with Derek Chisora.
However, the value and prestige of Gassiev’s WBA Regular belt have been somewhat diminished and complicated in the eyes of hardcore boxing enthusiasts following recent announcements regarding the division’s governing body structure. It was officially confirmed that the upcoming mega-fight between domestic rivals Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua will be contested for the more prestigious ‘super’ version of the WBA’s heavyweight championship, casting a shadow over the secondary titles within the division.
Even with the shifting hierarchy of sanctioning body titles, a matchup between Deontay Wilder and Murat Gassiev remains an explosive and commercially viable proposition for fight fans around the globe. Both men possess exceptional punching power and have built their reputations on delivering thrilling, high-stakes encounters. As Wilder’s team evaluates the various offers on the table—weighing the rumored Principality Stadium appearance against Opetaia against the tangible, championship-level discussions with Gassiev’s camp—the boxing world watches closely to see which puzzle piece the former champion ultimately chooses to complete his historic career.
