WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman has announced that the sanctioning body would approve Deontay Wilder for a bridgerweight title shot, presenting an opportunity for Wilder to become a two-weight world champion.

The bridgerweight division, established in 2020, sits between cruiserweight and heavyweight with a 224lbs limit and is recognized by both the WBC and WBA. Wilder, who held the WBC heavyweight title from 2015 to 2020, now has a chance to compete for the bridgerweight crown.

Evgeny Tishchenko holds the WBA title, while Lawrence Okolie recently claimed the WBC’s version by knocking out Lukasz Rozanski in May. Okolie is set to defend his title against Kevin Lerena next. However, Sulaiman indicated that the winner could face Wilder 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.

Despite some fans calling for his retirement after recent losses to Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang, Wilder is yet to officially retire. George Groves, former super-middleweight world champion, previously recommended that Wilder move 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.

Lawrence Okolie, the current WBC bridgerweight champion, has expressed interest in fighting Wilder. Okolie told iFL TV, “When there is a belt on the line, it is always better. Obviously, he (Wilder) was WBC heavyweight champion, he will probably want to box for a WBC belt.”

A fight between Wilder and Okolie could be on the horizon, providing Wilder with a clear path to potentially becoming a two-weight world champion. This match-up is eagerly anticipated by boxing fans, who are excited to see if Wilder can add another title to his storied career.