Fans, fighters and pundits have seen a marked decline in Deontay Wilder in his last two bouts, and the man himself even said before the latest defeat that anything but a win could spell retirement.
The hard-hitting American looked tentative and gun-shy in against Joseph Parker last December, losing a wide points decision. His comeback bout against Zhilei Zhang this past weekend ended in a fifth round stoppage, with Wilder battered and highly dazed.
Although he has not made a decision on his fighting future known, many have urged him to hang up the gloves after a 48-bout career with 42 knockout wins.
Famed trainer and analyst Teddy Atlas has been frank on the matter, telling Seconds Out that it’s not the ‘sad’ situation many have been describing.
“It’s for him and his family to decide, not for me. But he has hinted at it before the fight, he was honest about it, that if I don’t get through this fight, which he didn’t, he may have to entertain the thought that it may be time for me to step out of the business.
Everyone’s time comes in whatever you do. Sooner or later, for anything there comes a time, that’s a part of life. Is it sad? The man has made millions of dollars, Al Hayman did a good job with him, he won a bronze at the olympics, he’s been a champion of the world, he said himself that boxing has been good to him, it’s given him an opportunity to take care of that family and he’s earned the right not to go off into the sunset. I think his career should be celebrated.”
Wilder is expected to rest and recuperate before coming to a decision with the help of his family.
