The fighting future of Deontay Wilder is very much up in the air right now.
‘The Bronze Bomber’ reined over the heavyweight division for five years. His fearsome right hand knocked out every man he faced – once on the second time of asking against Bermaine Stiverne – right up until 2018 when he fought to a draw in his first fight with Tyson Fury. Two more contests followed in the ensuing years and both ended in stoppage losses for Wilder, who rebuilt with a quick stoppage of Robert Helens before then coming up against Joseph Parker in December last year.
He lost that fight wide on points then stepped into the ring with Zhileh Zhang in March, who stopped him inside five after he looked reluctant to pull the trigger on his big punches once again.
Speaking to FightHype, Robert Garcia – who trained heavyweight Anthony Joshua for a time – was of the opinion that Wilder should now hang up his gloves for good having made plenty of money and assured this legacy in the ring.
“It sucks to see somebody go out like that but it’s part of boxing. I think he should probably retire right now but he had a great career, man. Became a champion, made a lot of money, that’s what fighters are in it for.
Most fighters have to continue to fighting, I’m not saying Wilder is one of the cases, I think Wilder got into boxing to provide for his little girl. Even in his last fight, he still made a huge payday but I don’t blame him. He’s probably made enough to be secure with his family so I think it’s maybe time to hang them up.”
