Deontay Wilder has yet to confirm his comeback to the sport approaching nine months since his last fight.
“The Bronze Bomber” remains on the fence as to whether he will fight again despite previously stating his intention.
At a statue unveiling in Tuscaloosa in his honor, Wilder told the gathered crowd there was no way he could walk away.
Just weeks later, the Alabama Slammer gave an interview with Premier Boxing Champions in which he revealed he’s contemplating retirement and doesn’t need to fight.
Whatever the case may be, it doesn’t disguise the fact Wilder hasn’t won a fight since November 2019. And by the time he does enter a ring again, that will be a full three years since his previous victory.
Losing twice to Tyson Fury, once in February 2020 and again in October 2021 are not ideal preparation for a comeback at the best of times. However, legal wrangling and the pandemic didn’t help the completion of the trilogy saga.
Since then, Wilder has been in no rush to compete. Spending time with his family and forging a new career in music seem to have left the heavyweight puncher non-plussed about his future in the sport.
Deontay Wilder needs some sort of challenge after the Fury debacle that saw the 36-year-old repair his reputation in the third and final bout. The epic clash saw the pair win Fight of the Year for 2021.
Deontay Wilder next move
So what now for Wilder?
Andy Ruiz Jr. is the obvious choice. WBN has reported on many occasions that Ruiz was signed by Al Haymon with a massive Pay Per View against Wilder in mind.
Ruiz faces two-time Wilder knockout victim Luis Ortiz on September 4th. A triumph on the night should see the fight come to fruition by late 2022 or early 2023.
Wilder needs to get back in the win column before then. Whether that Deontay Wilde next move is a challenge for the bridgerweight title held by Oscar Rivas or an also-ran effort against a PBC contender, is really up to how Wilder wants to play it.
But he has to act faster than he is at the moment or his career could run out of gas before he steps back into the fold.
WBN Editor Phil has over ten years of boxing news experience. Follow WBN on Facebook @officialworldboxingnews and Twitter @worldboxingnews.
