Following two back-to-back losses, Deontay Wilder‘s trainer has confirmed he will return rather than retire.
The knockout artist from Tuscaloosa, Alabama fell short on points against Joseph Parker before losing by knockout to Zhilei Zhang. The lack of his once fearsome aggression led many in the sport to advise him to hang up the gloves.
With coach Malik Scott saying that won’t be the case, talk now turns to who the former WBC Heavyweight Champion could come back against.
Speaking to World Boxing News, new WBC Bridgerweight World Champion Kevin Lerena said he is willing to be that man.
“I’ve always been keen to fight Wilder. He was one of the most feared heavyweights for a very long time. Wilder is someone I respect a lot, but it’s my time, and I fear no man.
“Look, I know Wilder didn’t lose in a positive way [against Parker or Zhang], but having said that, this is heavyweight boxing. These things can happen, but he will always be seen as a dangerous, spiteful puncher no matter what!
“I’d be more than happy to give Wilder the opportunity to face me if he’s willing to make the move down.
The Bridgerweight division sits between cruiser and heavy with a limit of 224lbs – a weight Wilder has made comfortably throughout his career, usually tipping the scales between 215 and 220 save for a bulking up for his third fight with Tyson Fury in which he weighed 238.
Lerena – who gained the title when Lawrence Okolie vacated – said there had been no contact with the American’s team ‘yet’ before also saying he would gladly welcome cruiserweight world champion Jai Opetaia up, too.
“There hasn’t been any contact with Wilder’s team as far as I know, not as of yet anyway, but I did mention it to Spencer Brown, and it’s a fight I would take next.
“If not Wilder, then a massive fight for the bridgerweight world title would be [cruiserweight champion at 200 pounds] Jai Opetaia and me. I think he’s a class boxer, but I’m a fighter, so it makes for a good scrap!
“I hope to be back in the ring around December or probably early in the new year, so there’s plenty of time to talk to Wilder, Opetaia, or anyone else for a massive fight.”
Wilder’s team previously declined an informal offer to face Okolie so are likely to do the same here, but the opportunity to become a two-weight world champion is there should they reconsider. Fans still await news on when he will be making a confirmed return to the ring.
