Deontay Wilder’s father, Gary Wilder, has issued a strong demand following his son’s recent loss to Zihei Zhang, urging for the dismissal of the boxer’s trainer amidst ongoing struggles. The defeat to Zhang has exacerbated the challenges faced by Deontay Wilder, prompting his father to take a decisive stance on the matter.
Malik Scott, who assumed the role of Deontay Wilder’s trainer in 2021, has come under intense scrutiny following a series of setbacks in the boxer’s career. Since Scott took over, Wilder’s performance has faltered, culminating in a disappointing record of 1-3. Gary Wilder contends that the root cause of these issues lies in the dynamics of the trainer-boxer relationship, emphasizing the necessity for mutual respect over friendship in such a critical role.
Despite the setback, Gary Wilder remains optimistic about his son’s future in boxing, expressing belief in Deontay Wilder’s potential to bounce back from this defeat. However, he stresses the urgency of addressing the training situation to ensure a more conducive environment for success.
Shelly Finkel, co-manager of Deontay Wilder, has offered minimal comment on Gary Wilder’s demand, indicating a degree of division within the boxer’s management team. Similarly, Malik Scott has remained tight-lipped in response to the criticism leveled against him.
Gary Wilder’s key contention with Scott’s training approach is the perceived departure from Deontay Wilder’s natural style as a slugger. He argues that attempts to mold the boxer into a traditionalist have resulted in discomfort and compromised performance.
Despite the rift between father and trainer, Gary Wilder has not yet communicated directly with Deontay since the fight against Zhang. However, he intends to convey his advice to his son in due course.
Deontay Wilder’s career, marked by an impressive record of 43-4-1 with 42 knockouts, stands at a critical juncture. As he navigates the aftermath of this latest setback and the advice from his father, the boxing world eagerly awaits to see whether significant changes will be made to his training regime and overall approach.