Deontay Wilder’s career, much like many of his opponents over the years, is now precariously on the ropes. The powerful puncher from Alabama, known for his reign as the WBC Heavyweight Champion, held the title for half a decade, amassing an impressive knockout highlight reel. However, his momentum was abruptly halted by ‘The Gypsy King,’ Tyson Fury.
Wilder and Fury first clashed in a bout that ended in a controversial draw, with many feeling Fury had done enough to win. Their second encounter left no room for doubt as Fury dominated Wilder, stopping him in the seventh round. The trilogy fight was more competitive, but Wilder ultimately succumbed to Fury’s power once again, this time in the eleventh round.
Following a swift knockout victory over Robert Helenius, Wilder found himself contemplating retirement. However, a potential fight with longtime rival Anthony Joshua rekindled his interest. Wilder was told to defeat Joseph Parker to earn the Joshua bout, but Parker outboxed him over twelve rounds, leaving Wilder’s hopes dashed.
Wilder assured fans that the cautious version of himself seen in recent fights would not reappear when he faced Zhilei Zhang. Yet, Zhang’s fifth-round knockout forced Wilder to confront the possibility of retirement. This defeat dropped Wilder to 14th in the WBC rankings, barely holding on.
Despite the setbacks, an opportunity for a comeback remains within reach in the WBC’s newly created Bridgerweight division. This division, with a weight limit between cruiserweight and heavyweight at 224 lbs, could be a perfect fit for the 214 lbs ‘Bronze Bomber.’
Lawrence Okolie, the current champion, has expressed interest in giving Wilder a title shot, telling IFL TV it would be ‘his pleasure.’ Additionally, the WBC president has shown support for this potential move, stating the organization ‘would approve’ such a bout.
As of now, Deontay Wilder is resting and dealing with personal matters outside the ring. However, the door to a potential resurgence in the Bridgerweight division remains open, offering Wilder a chance to revitalize his career and return to his knockout-winning ways.
