Deontay Wilder has said that he's in negotiations with unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk for a title fight next year.

The former beltholder isn't averse to talking about other potential opponents, however. That includes Murat Gassiev.

The former cruiserweight champ from Russia stopped Kubrat Pulev in six rounds to win the WBA's secondary "regular" title on December 12 in Dubai. (Usyk holds the full WBA title.)

Among those in attendance was Wilder, who said he wouldn’t mind getting in the ring with Gassiev.

“Congratulations to Gassiev,” Wilder told Boxing Social. “I think that would be an amazing fight.”

Wilder (44-4-1, 43 KOs) has seen better days. His recent seventh-round knockout of Tyrrell Anthony Herndon on June 27 was desperately needed. Prior to that, he came out on the losing end in four of his last five, falling to the Tyson Fury (twice), Joseph Parker, and Zhilei Zhang.

Wilder, 40, is a long way away from title contention, at least according to the sanctioning bodies. Only the WBC has him ranked in their top 15, pegging him at No. 13.

For now, Wilder (44-4-1, 43 KOs) will wait and see how things play out. In the meantime, he had nothing but good things to say about Gassiev’s performance.

“That was a beautiful left hook,” Wilder said of the KO punch. “It was very sneaky.”