Deontay Wilder‘s career is on the ropes following two back-to-back losses in Saudi Arabia.
The first came against Joseph Parker. It was made clear that the American would be set up to face Anthony Joshua with a win, but he was uncharacteristically gun-shy and lost a near shut-out on the cards.
His attempt to get back to winning ways was as tough as they come – feared Chinese southpaw Zhilei Zhang, who was also coming off a distance loss to Parker.
‘Big Bang’ dealt with ‘The Bronze Bomber’ – who had said pre-fight he may consider retirement if he lost – within five rounds. Since then, the hard-hitting former WBC Champion has been under the radar.
Should he want to fight on, Riyadh Season’s Turki Alalshikh is willing to welcome him back a third time. In an interview with Charlie Parsons, he was open to the idea of a fight against British heavyweight stalwart, Derek Chisora, but made it clear that the first two fights he staged were not up to par.
“They asked me [about Wilder-Chisora] and I said clearly if he is getting himself back, why not? But, believe me, I tried two times and it’s not happened…”
Alalshikh backed up his position in a reply to a fan who asked for Wilder to face either Chisora or his most recent opponent, Joe Joyce. He again said ‘why not?’
If Wilder still have it, why not
— TURKI ALALSHIKH (@Turki_alalshikh) August 16, 2024
Chisora is 48 fights into his campaign and is adamant he will make it to 50 before retiring. His win over Joyce – a hard-fought decision helped by a late knockdown – gave some fans faith he still has what it takes to do it.
He has, in the past, called for the Wilder fight. Where both men are at in their careers right now makes it more likely than ever before.
