Deontay Wilder has an opportunity to get his first shot at an undisputed title

Deontay Wilder is one step closer to fighting for the WBC and undisputed heavyweight titles after the WBO postponed Joe Joyce’s mandatory fight.

WBO president Paco Valcarcel is delaying confirmation of Joyce’s 2023 opportunity as current champion Alexander Usyk plans a mandatory fight with Tyson Fury.

World Boxing News said Wilder may have to wait a few months after Fury’s Usyk fight as Joyce was next up. However, WBN understands that this is no longer the case and there is no set mandatory order for the heavyweight division.

All the bodies should meet after the Undisputed Fury vs. Usyk unification to discuss who gets the first shot. So, if Wilder beats Andy Ruiz Jr. next year, he could be promoted as the first undisputed contender.

Who will be the first mandatory challenger for the undisputed heavyweight title?

The WBA’s Daniel Dubois, the IBF’s Filip Hrgovic and the WBC’s Wilder or Ruiz were all considered behind Joyce.

But all four are back for the count and will be able to make their case once Fury vs. Usyk is in the books for all the belts.

If Fury wins and Wilder defeats Ruiz, a fourth meeting between the pair is on the cards. And it may affect other applicants.

If it’s Usyk, then Joyce, Dubois or Hrgovic will have a better chance of going first.

Deontay Wilder punched Helenius

Meanwhile, Fury mentioned Wilder in his recent True Geordie interview about the car crash. An interviewer asked Fury about the “Bronze Bomber” crying after beating Robert Helenius in the middle of next week.

Helenius took one incredible shot at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn and almost didn’t leave New York.

Wilder went to see Helenius to make sure he was okay and cried at the press conference at the thought of potentially causing permanent damage to the Finn.

Fury responded to Geordie: “Maybe I shocked him a bit. Maybe he was humiliated by the three punches I gave the bastard.

“He’s a former Gypsy King knockout victim.”

Geordie then asked, “Do you think you softened him up?

“I think so, you know. You never know. A man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do. If that’s what he’s got to do, that’s what he’s got to do.

“Honestly, it’s none of my business what they do, to be honest.”

Wilder vs. Ruiz

Wilder vs. Ruiz is scheduled for March 18 next year, judging by the holdover of the Premier Boxing Champions at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

This should be a solid pay-per-view event in the boxing capital of the world. The winner will then receive a world title fight and receive the biggest prize in the sport.

WBN editor Phil Jay has over a decade of experience in boxing news. Follow WBN on Facebook @officialworldboxingnews, Instagram and Twitter @world boxing news.