Deontay Wilder could fight his way to a fourth fight against WBC champion Tyson Fury, according to the governing body’s president.
Wilder has not fought competitively since October 2021 when he lost to Fury in their third fight, in perhaps his most impressive display of the trilogy.
After looking lean in the gym of late, he has announced an October 15 bout with Robert Helenius in an eliminator, which could move him further up the rankings and give him mandatory status once more.
Right now, Fury is both retired and yet also keen to set up an undisputed clash with the IBF, WBA and WBO champion Oleksandr Usyk, which means the rest of the WBC’s fighters will be expected to keep one another busy.
Andy Ruiz Jr. and Luis Ortiz will also be an eliminator clash, teeing up another potential decider for the right to fight Fury.
"We have accepted some elimination bouts that were requested to the WBC," WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman told Sky Sports .
"One is Wilder-Helenius, the other is Ruiz-Ortiz. Those are happening as eliminations, but Fury is the champion, he's got the time and he will decide and we'll see what happens."
Fury has until August 26 to make his decision on retirement final.
Sulaiman explained he was keen to keep Wilder active after speculation he had stepped away from the ring.
"I'm very happy to see Wilder come back," Sulaiman continued.
"He held the WBC title for five years, 10 title defences, a great example of hard work, a great history behind him so I'm very happy to see Deontay come back to the ring."