Carl Froch has shared some advice on retirement to a fellow former world champion.
Leaving behind the sport that provides such emotional highs, financial rewards and adrenaline rushes can often be the hardest part of being a fighter. Many have gone on too long, and only very few have ever got out at the top.
Froch is one of them. His last fight was arguably his finest display and it came in front of 80, 0000 people at Wembley Stadium. The opponent was George Groves, who he controversially beat in his previous fight, but the second time around there was nothing left to debate after ‘The Cobra’ knocked him out cold with the best punch of his career.
One man currently in limbo is Deontay Wilder, the former WBC world heavyweight champion who has now lost four times in his last five fights – twice to Tyson Fury by knockout, once on points to Joseph Parker, and once more by knockout to Zhilei Zhang in his last fight back in June 2024.
Speaking on his own channel, Froch suggested Wilder should retire despite having his comeback confirmed.
“[His trainer has] declared Wilder will fight again and will not retire from boxing yet. He claims he has a bright future in boxing, I question that, at the highest level, and I definitely question that. He’s shown his punch resistance is not what it was and his punching power has diminished.
“I feel this is just money motivated and the only reason he’s being told he can continue fighting and get back in the ring is for the old Bunsen burner. For me, that’s sad, ’cause Deontay Wilder could end up getting seriously damaged. This guy needs to bow out and look after himself and think about his health and future.”
Wilder is now 39 years old and has had 46 fights, so any comeback will need to see him move fast if he is to get back to world title level. He is reportedly set to face journeyman Curtis Harper in April, though an official announcement is yet to be made.
If the knockout artist from Alabama gets back to winning ways, there may be an opportunity to face fellow former champion Anthony Joshua or big-hitting MMA star Francis Ngannou.
