Deontay Wilder’s Quest for Anthony Joshua Fight Ends in Setbacks: Should He Retire?
Deontay Wilder, once on the cusp of securing a highly anticipated bout with Anthony Joshua, has faced consecutive setbacks that have cast doubt on his future in boxing. Most recently, a disappointing loss to Zhilei Zhang has left many questioning whether the 38-year-old should consider retirement.
Wilder’s path to a showdown with Joshua seemed promising on two occasions. First, a potential clash with Joseph Parker ended in defeat for Wilder, who appeared unusually hesitant in the ring, resulting in a wide points loss. Joshua, meanwhile, moved on to face and defeat Francis Ngannou, furthering his own career trajectory.
The second opportunity arose with Wilder’s bout against Zhilei Zhang, which many believed could set the stage for a long-awaited showdown with Joshua. However, Wilder suffered a fifth-round knockout, prompting calls from fans and pundits alike for him to retire from the sport.
The rivalry between Wilder and Joshua has been one of the most compelling in heavyweight boxing, characterized by parallel careers and frequent speculation about a potential undisputed championship clash. Despite these aspirations, various obstacles, including promotional challenges and personal differences, have prevented the fight from materializing.
In a recent interview with Box Nation, Anthony Joshua was asked for his opinion on Wilder’s future in boxing. Joshua expressed belief in Wilder’s continued capability, describing him as “still dangerous” with much left to offer in the sport. However, Joshua cautioned against Wilder succumbing to external pressures and advised him to trust his own instincts amid public opinion urging him to retire.
“Nah, he’s still dangerous,” Joshua affirmed. “There’s still a lot he can do, but if he gets too caught up in the life outside boxing he’ll return.” Joshua’s words reflect a nuanced perspective on Wilder’s career, acknowledging both his potential and the challenges he faces moving forward.
Despite speculation, Wilder has not yet made a definitive announcement regarding his future in boxing. His coach and longtime friend, Malik Scott, has expressed unwavering support for whatever decision Wilder ultimately makes regarding his career path.
As the boxing world awaits Wilder’s next move, the narrative of his rivalry with Joshua and the quest for heavyweight supremacy continues to unfold, with fans and analysts alike pondering whether Wilder will retire or forge ahead in pursuit of redemption and further accolades in the sport
