Former heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder is facing calls to retire after two back-to loses.
Wilder was once the most feared puncher in boxing’s blue-riband division. From his 43 career wins a staggering 42 were by way of knockout.
The ‘Bronze Bomber’ made ten successful defences of his WBC title until he was stopped by Tyson Fury after a controversial draw in their first fight. The two would meet again for the trilogy in one of the all time great heavyweight bouts, but once again Fury came out victorious after stopping Wilder in the eleventh round.
After that defeat the American took two years out the ring and returned with a familiar first round KO over Robert Helenius. Wilder would then take another twelve months to return to action, this time against fellow former champion Joseph Parker.
Parker took the upset victory with a near shut-out on the cards, with Wilder seemingly unwilling to let his main weapon, the right hand, go.
One man who knows when it’s time to call it a day is heavyweight great, Lennox Lewis. The former undisputed champion is one of the few boxers to retire having defeated every man he ever faced, and unlike most has never been tempted back in the ring after hanging up the gloves after defeating Vitali Klitschko in 2003.
On Wilder’s situation, Lewis believes retiring would be ‘a wise decision’ before he ‘suffers any more damage’.
“The Bronze Bomber told us before the fight that he would retire if he didn’t win. I think that’s a wise decision. He’s more than carved out a life in which he can take care of his daughter, so before he suffers any more damage, it’s best to leave the game with your faculties intact because there’s a LOT more life to live after boxing.”
