Deontay Wilder says he wants to fight Murat Gassiev and that their teams have spoken. In an IBA interview published on 2 November, the 41-year-old recalls sharing training camps and sparring with Gassiev.
His interest is clear; he also describes several moving pieces. The interview supplies neither a fight date nor a completed agreement.
This sits alongside the reported Wilder–Opetaia talks. Naming Gassiev does not, by itself, cancel the other possibility.
From our 4 November 2026 edition; added to the website on 5 November. Event dates and reporting cut-offs are stated above.
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