In a stunning turn of events, former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder faced defeat at the hands of former WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker in a lackluster bout that has left fans and pundits questioning the future of the “Bronze Bomber.”
The clash between Wilder and Parker took place at the Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Saturday night, with fans eagerly anticipating the return of the Alabama native following his previous loss to Tyson Fury and his KO win over Robert Helenius. However, the night did not go as planned for Wilder, as Parker’s strategic prowess and calculated punches proved too much for the hard hitting heavyweight to handle.
Throughout the fight, Parker showcased superior footwork and defensive skills, effectively neutralizing Wilder’s powerful right hand, which had been his signature weapon in previous victories. The bout went the full 12 rounds, culminating in a unanimous decision in favor of Joseph Parker.
Following the defeat, questions surrounding Deontay Wilder’s future in the sport have intensified. The 36-year-old boxer, known for his devastating knockout power, has faced criticism in recent years for his reliance on the right hand and lack of a well-rounded boxing arsenal. He tried to become a boxer against Parker and it cost him the fight. He would have done better if he stuck to what made him great and that is throwing power shots instead of trying to touch and go to win on points.
Wilder might have overlooked Parker because he was already talking about the possible future mega-fight showdown with former unified heavyweight champion and British boxing star Anthony Joshua. Joshua was headlining the Day of Reckoning event on DAZN against Otto Wallin and knocked him out, while Wilder vs. Parker was the co-main event. The goal was for Wilder and Joshua to win their fights and have a showdown in March, but those plans were scrapped after Wilder’s shocking loss.
On social media the boxing community are now calling for Wilder to seriously consider retirement after his poor performance. Critics argue that his recent string of losses to Tyson Fury and the apparent difficulty in adapting his style suggest that the former champion may no longer be at his peak.
While retirement decisions are highly personal, some fans and analysts believe that hanging up the gloves might be the best option for Wilder at this point in his career. Retirement would allow the former champion to preserve his legacy and avoid further damage to his health.
Deontay Wilder has yet to make an official statement regarding his future in boxing.
Muki is a long time boxing fan and enjoys Mixed Martial Arts. He has been writing boxing articles since he was a teen and his favorite fighters of the past are Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson, Prince Naseem Hamed. Favorite MMA fighters are Khabib Nurmagomedov, Georges St-Pierre, Anderson Silva and Fedor Emelianenko.