Following a stoppage loss to Zhilei Zhang, many in the sport believe it is time for Deontay Wilder to hang up the gloves.
The former long-reigning WBC Heavyweight World Champion was undefeated before he came up against Tyson Fury, who scored stoppage wins in the second and third fights of a trilogy the pair shared.
Wilder would take time out before returning with a first round knockout of Robert Helenius, but another year of inactivity followed before he was beaten on points by Joseph Parker. Then came the Zhang fight, which the Chinese heavyweight won inside five rounds.
Wilder’s latest two performances have prompted the likes of Lennox Lewis and Fury to call for the 37-year-old’s retirement.
Speaking to Box Nation, ‘Big Bang’ did not agree.
“I think it’s a little fast to say he should permanently retire from boxing already, because it’s been only half a year since his last fight. I think he’s still recovering and putting the pieces together. Whatever happens to him, I wish him the best. Whether or not he fighting I just hope for the best for him.”
Wilder has confirmed he will fight on and has blamed the recent losses in part on injury. Who he targets for his comeback remains to be seen, though he has been linked with Francis Ngannou and even Anthony Joshua.
As for Zhang, he faces undefeated Agit Kabayel on February 22, 2025 out in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The winner will claim the WBC Interim Heavyweight Title and look to face the winner of the rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Fury.
