According to Matchroom’s Frank Smith, there are speculations about former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder considering retirement following his recent loss to Joseph Parker in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
If the 38-year-old Wilder indeed decides to end his 15-year professional career, it could have implications for Anthony Joshua as there is still significant interest from fans to see the two fighters compete against each other, despite Wilder’s recent defeat.
Similar to the continued interest in Joshua’s fights after losses to Andy Ruiz Jr. and Oleksandr Usyk, fans are still keen on watching Wilder in the ring.
For Wilder to make a successful comeback, it’s essential for him to have the same level of support and encouragement from fans that Joshua received after his victory over Wallin.
Struggling in the ring
Wilder (43-3-1, 42 KOs) faced Parker (34-3, 23 KOs) and gave a disappointing performance, with many boxing enthusiasts feeling that Parker was not a formidable opponent, especially after his loss to Joe Joyce.
Parker, who was defeated by Joyce, was made to look good by Wilder, similar to the way Wallin made Joshua appear impressive. Despite having faced the same opponents before, Wilder struggled to assert himself in the fight.
Parker secured a victory with scores of 118-111, 120-108, and 118-110 against Wilder, who appeared hesitant and failed to engage effectively, despite the opportunities presented during the match.
It is widely agreed that if Wilder intends to return to the ring, he should do so promptly, considering the significant period of inactivity he faced before this fight.
The uncertainties in boxing
“I believe we saw the return of the old Anthony Joshua. He delivered an impressive victory against a tough opponent and dominated the fight from start to finish. He has a promising future ahead of him,” commented Matchroom’s Frank Smith on Joshua’s win over Wallin.
Smith also discussed the tendency of people to quickly judge fighters based on their recent performances and how there are still promising opportunities for Joshua despite setbacks in his past fights.
“Deontay Wilder is also a topic of discussion. Maybe people should have acknowledged his potential before. It’s easy to reflect on the situation in hindsight, but there’s always the unpredictability of the sport,” added Smith.
Early retirement considerations
Regarding Joseph Parker’s victory over Wilder, Smith acknowledged the skillful performance and highlighted the fickle nature of the sport, emphasizing the significant changes that have occurred in the heavyweight division.
Smith mentioned that Deontay Wilder has expressed the possibility of considering retirement, reflecting on the unexpected turn of events in the heavyweight category.
