Deontay Wilder’s Trainer Makes It Clear What The ‘Problem’ Was Against Zhang And Joseph Parker

Deontay Wilder hasn’t fought since suffering a knockout defeat to Zhilei Zhang in June.

Wilder ruled for many years as the WBC world champion. He put together a long string of knockout wins over the likes of Luis Ortiz, Bermane Stiverne and Dominic Breazeale before coming up against Tyson Fury.

In the first fight, the pair had to settle for a draw after Fury rose from the canvas after a huge shot in the 12th round to avoid defeat. Two more bouts saw Fury fight on the front foot and secure knockout wins and from that point Wilder’s career has continued to falter.

He has since had three fights, one was a simple first round KO of Robbert Helenius, then last December he fought Jospeh Parker and lost on points after looking gun-shy throughout the contest.

In June, he was brutally stopped inside five rounds by Zhang and since then hasn’t reappeared in the ring.

Speaking to Manouk Akopyan, Wilder’s trainer Malik Scott was asked about what went wrong in those two fights and he simply credited the opponents.

“Parker and Zhang [was the issue]. Sometimes the actual opponents is the problem.

People don’t like to say that, they like to say everything Deontay didn’t do, everything I did do, that takes credit away from what Joseph Parker is and what his system is, Andy Lee. What Zhang and Sean George bring to the table. Was Deontay supposed to win those fights? Absolutely. But things happen man.”

Wilder has said he will fight on and Scott has previously said they would be keen to step into the ring with Anthony Joshua in a comeback fight.