Deontay Wilder's boxing career hangs in the balance after two tough losses. The former WBC Heavyweight champ faces a big decision about his future in the ring.
Wilder held the WBC title for half a decade before his trilogy with Tyson Fury changed everything. The first fight ended in a draw, but Fury stopped Wilder in the next two bouts. After the second loss, Wilder split from his coach Mark Breland, unhappy about the towel throw that ended the fight.
The 38-year-old boxer thought about hanging up his gloves but decided to keep going. He teamed up with Malik Scott, a former opponent and close friend, and scored a first-round knockout win over Robert Helenius. But things went downhill from there.
Joseph Parker beat Wilder by a wide margin on the scorecards. This loss cost Wilder a guaranteed fight with Anthony Joshua. Then, Zhilei Zhang knocked out 'The Bronze Bomber' in five rounds. Before the Zhang fight, Wilder said he'd think about retiring if he lost.
Now, boxing legend Lennox Lewis has told Wilder to stick to his word and retire. But Derek Chisora, who recently beat Joe Joyce in his 48th pro fight, has different advice.
Chisora thinks Wilder should shake things up. He said:
"I think Deontay Wilder needs to change his team and he'll come back stronger than ever. [I think change] everything. He has to go back to his old trainer and just do what he used to do. The jab and the right hand straight through the middle, none of this trying to box. He's a power puncher. He needs to touch the jab and put it through the middle. Cause he hasn't chucked it since…"
Chisora wants Wilder to split from Scott and reunite with his old team, Mark Breland and Jay Deas. He thinks Wilder should go back to his old fighting style, focusing on his powerful right hand instead of trying to out-box opponents.
It's not likely Wilder will part ways with Scott, given their close friendship. But something's got to change if he wants to get back to the top of the heavyweight division.
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Chisora has called out Wilder before, and plans to fight two more times before retiring. But for now, fans are waiting to see what Wilder will do next. Will he hang up his gloves or try to climb back to the top? The ball's in Wilder's court.