Deontay Wilder, the former WBC heavyweight world champion, could soon have the opportunity to become a two-weight world champion. WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman has confirmed that the sanctioning body would approve Wilder for a bridgerweight title shot if he chooses to pursue it. This new weight class, established in 2020 and recognized by both the WBC and WBA, sits between cruiserweight and heavyweight with a 224-pound limit.

Wilder, who held the WBC heavyweight title from 2015 to 2020, is well-positioned for this historic bid. Currently, Evgeny Tishchenko holds the WBA bridgerweight title, while Lawrence Okolie recently claimed the WBC version by knocking out Lukasz Rozanski in May. Okolie has been ordered to defend his title against Kevin Lerena next, but Sulaiman has indicated that Wilder could face the winner if he submits a request to the WBC.

“I am sure that if Wilder wishes to fight the Bridgerweight champion, the WBC would approve, but we have not received anything from our dear Deontay camp,” Sulaiman wrote on X (formerly Twitter) after a fan inquired about the possibility.

The prospect of Wilder becoming a two-weight world champion is generating considerable excitement. Despite some recent setbacks, including dismal displays against Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang, Wilder remains a formidable force in the boxing world. Before his fifth-round knockout loss to Zhang earlier this month, former super-middleweight world champion George Groves suggested that Wilder consider moving down to bridgerweight to pursue a title.

“I think, now, this is his time to capitalize on being a world champion,” Groves told Sky Sports. “There are going to be a lot of heavyweights out there with big names, who are not huge, who are going to be thinking ‘Am I ever going to win the heavyweight world championship in the near future? Maybe not, but I can be world champion if I take on Lawrence Okolie’.”

Groves added, “I think, maybe, Wilder is the sort of character who goes ‘I’m such a big name, I’m a former heavyweight world champion, I can’t see me just getting a shot at a heavyweight world title any time soon. But why not become a two-weight world champion by fighting at bridgerweight?'”

A fight with Okolie appears to be a feasible option, with the British boxer expressing interest in facing Wilder after his win over Rozanski. “When there is a belt on the line, it is always better,” Okolie told iFL TV. “Obviously, he (Wilder) was WBC heavyweight champion, he will probably want to box for a WBC belt.”

As the boxing world eagerly awaits Wilder’s next move, the potential for him to make history as a two-weight world champion adds a new layer of intrigue to the sport. With the WBC’s approval, all eyes are on Wilder to see if he will seize this golden opportunity and solidify his legacy in the bridgerweight division.