A former heavyweight champion returns to the ring this weekend after a full year out.
Time away from boxing can prove costly to a fighter’s career. They lose momentum and pick up ring rust that can be hard to shake off, especially if they are towards the end of their career, when time is not on their side for a rebuild.
That’s the issue facing former WBC ruler Deontay Wilder. After four losses in his last five fights, including two KOs at the hands of Tyson Fury, a points loss to Joseph Parker then another stoppage loss to Zhilei Zhang last time out in June 2024, he has been out of the spotlight.
Speaking to The Ring Magazine, ‘The Bronze Bomber’ claims the time away was well spent improving himself mentally.
“It’s not a comeback because I never retired — it’s the return.
I had to take a wellness check for my career and life in general. I sought a sports psychologist. I didn’t tell my team about anything because, in my mind, I wanted to say that I was strong enough to get myself back together without anyone noticing anything. But unfortunately, that wasn’t the case and I needed help. After my last fight, I understood that something was wrong with me.”
He then declared that he is back to his best and ready to show it.
“I am so much better now with my mindset — mentally, physically, emotionally. I’m physically healthy and have my mental health back, too. A lot has happened to me, but God is good. I am ready to go.”
The 39-year-old has one clear goal ‘mission’ ahead of his return – to get all the belts.
“Here I am, the mission is the same, I gotta get these titles man, I gotta do what I gotta do, to feel that greatness, to show the world how great I am, like they know I am. It continues, and I’m looking forward to it. I feels good to be a veteran.”
A win for Wilder could well set up the long overdue fight against Anthony Joshua.
