Deontay Wilder says Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk winner ‘depends on who’s gonna cheat the hardest’ and explains why he believes Anthony Joshua fight will never happen

Deontay Wilder has claimed that a potential Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk fight will be won by whoever is the better cheater.

The former WBC heavyweight world champion, who lost his belt to the Gypsy King in 2022, has previously accused his conqueror of cheating to beat him in their second fight.

Wilder alleged that Fury tampered with his gloves to put his fist in an improper position and said he also believed the Brit had a hard object concealed within his gloves to deal extra damage.

The American additionally claimed his water was spiked with muscle relaxers before the fight, potentially by his own co-trainer Mark Breland.

He pushed further accusations of disloyalty at Breland – who threw in the towel to end the bout – and later fired him as a result.

Despite also subsequently being KOd by Fury in their third bout in 2021, Wilder remains adamant to this day that the Gypsy King cheated to beat him.

Now, it looks as though Fury could be heading towards an undisputed showdown with WBA, IBF and WBO world champion Usyk next.

Asked who wins that fight, Wilder told ESNews: “I don’t know. That’s a 50/50 fight. Depends on who’s gonna cheat the hardest.

“That’s what it is, it depends on who’s gonna cheat the hardest.”

Wilder was next asked if he believes a fight between himself and Anthony Joshua could finally materialise in 2023.

AJ’s promoter Eddie Hearn has recently reconciled with Wilder’s manager Shelly Finkel following their feud which stemmed from when they failed to make the fight in 2018 and 2019.

Despite this positive step, Wilder remains doubtful and said: “Joshua don’t wanna fight me, it’s just plain and clear. I don’t know why people keep asking about that.

“In my career I’ve been nothing but straightforward, honest and truthful. I don’t go around the bush. Either I like you or I don’t, it ain’t no in between for me because I know what I want.

“Everybody should’ve known when the $50million was offered to him after he asked for it and he didn’t take it. They should’ve known then it was something fishy.

“Even moving forwards, Joshua don’t want to fight.

“There’s certain information that I know and there’s certain information that the public receives from others.”