DEONTAY WILDER believes Oleksandr Usyk is "not a threat" and is "too small" to become a heavyweight champion.
Ukrainian Usyk, 32, makes his first step up from cruiserweight tonight as he aims to enjoy the same success in the heavier division.
But WBC king Wilder, 33, insists the new kid on the block will not be a challenge, though.
He told Sky Sports: "He's not a threat to me.
"He's too small for me. He does a lot of movement but that doesn't faze me."
Wilder stands at 6ft 7ins with a reach of 83ins.
Usyk, meanwhile, is 6ft 3ins and his reach is five inches shorter.
The pair have a combined professional record of 58 fights undefeated
By comparison, Tyson Fury is 6ft 9ins, Anthony Joshua is 6ft 6ins but Andy Ruiz Jr and Derek Chisora are both 6ft 2ins with 74ins reaches.
Usyk takes on Chazz Whitherspoon in Chicago tonight and will retain his status as the mandatory challenger to the WBO heavyweight belt with a win.
Ruiz Jr currently holds that title and will defend it against Joshua in Saudi Arabia on December 7.
BELLEW PREDICTS
Usyk's last bout saw him beat Tony Bellew in the eighth round at the Manchester Arena.
And the 'Bomber' reckons Wilder would be the most likely of the heavyweight big boys to be dethroned by The Cat – as Usyk targets the WBC belt.
Bellew said: "Wilder, and that's an easy answer. Don't get me wrong, if Wilder lands on him then it's not going to end well for Usyk, but you can say that about any heavyweight who Wilder lands on.
"I just think [Joshua and Fury] are too big for him. Fundamentally, he's a much better boxer than all of them, and I include Fury in that, but he's just too small to compete with them for 12 rounds.
"I think the size of Fury and Joshua would be a massive advantage and I don't think Usyk could overcome it.
"If he was to fight Andy Ruiz tomorrow, then I think he'd win that fight by just being himself and doing what he does best.
"There are only a few guys I don't see him winning against, but he's by far the most skilled fighter in the division and that will always give him a chance."
But asked who his biggest threat was, Wilder was typically bullish.
He responded: "Myself. I have something that I've been blessed with. It lasts from the first to the 12th – it never goes away.
"People may think I'm fatigued or out of it but, if you get hit, there are repercussions to be paid. It's amazing because I don't even know the strength of my own power.
"I hold my fiancee's hand and she says, 'Baby, you're squeezing me too tight'. I am very heavy handed."
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