Deontay Wilder‘s career, like the majority of his opponents once were, is on the ropes.

The knockout artist from Tuscaloosa, Alabama made a name for himself in the heavyweight division and likely the history books by putting away fighter after fighter with a devastating right hand.

That came to an end when he met Tyson Fury, who rose from the canvas twice to score a controversial draw. In the next two fights of a thrilling trilogy, the Brit would stop Wilder in brutal fashion.

A quick first round knockout of Robert Helenius kept interest in ‘The Bronze Bomber’ high, but back-to-back losses to Joseph Parker (points) and Zhilei Zhang (KO), and the gun-shy natured in which he fought in those contests, has left many in the sport calling for him to retire at 38-years-old.

If he doesn’t, there are still fights there.

In-form heavyweight Martin Bakole, in an interview with his promotional partner BOXXER, had little fear when it came to the Wilder of old. Asked how he would deal with him, he said he would stop the ‘small’ American.

“Deontay Wilder – I’ll smash him. Small legs, small body, I’ll knock him out.”

Bakole – ranked number one with the WBA – is fresh off finishing the man touted to take the torch from Wilder on the heavyweight scene in America. Jared Anderson only lasted five rounds with the thumping puncher from Congo.

Bakole, backed by Riyadh Season’s Turki Alalshikh, now moves ahead into another intriguing bout. Fans hope it will be Zhilei Zhang in the opposite corner. As for Wilder, Alalshikh has said he is open to making a fight with Derek Chisora or Joe Joyce should the American prove he wants to fight on.