Former heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis has weighed in on whether it’s time for Deontay Wilder to hang up the gloves.
Wilder was once the long reigning WBC champion who successfully defended his title ten times in a row, knocking out every man he faced along the way. However, after a run of four losses in his last five fights, the calls for him to step away from the sport have grown.
After suffering two stoppage defeats at the hands of Tyson Fury back in 2020 and 2021 ‘The Bronze Bomber’ got back to his explosive best when he blasted out sparring partner Robert Helenius in the first round. However that was followed by a wide points loss to Joseph Parker followed by a vicious knockout defeat to Zhilei Zhang and the man best known for his devastating right hand now looked hesitant to let it go.
In the build up to the Zhang fight in June, Wilder hinted that if he couldn’t secure victory then we may never see him in the ring again and Lewis, who was called the greatest of all time by George Foreman, believes he should stick to his word.
Speaking on twitter, Lewis urged the 39-year-old to leave the sport before he suffers any more damage.
“The Bronze Bomber told us before the fight [with Zhilei Zhang] that he would retire if he didn’t win. I think that’s a wise decision.
He’s more than carved out a life in which he can take care of his daughter, so before he suffers any more damage, it’s best to leave the game with your faculties intact because there’s a lot more life to live after boxing.”
The @BronzeBomber told us before the fight that he would retire if he didn’t win. I think that’s a wise decision. He’s more than carved out a life in which he can take care or his daughter, 💪🏾 so before he suffers any more damage, it’s best to leave the game with ur faculties…
— Lennox Lewis, CBE, CM (@LennoxLewis) June 2, 2024
It doesn’t look like Wilder will heed that advice and has confirmed his intentions to return to the ring in 2025.
