Deontay Wilder's career is on the ropes. The former WBC Heavyweight Champion's recent performances have left fans and pundits questioning his future in the sport.
Wilder started his career with an impressive 40-fight undefeated streak, knocking out 39 opponents along the way. He made short work of contenders like Dominic Breazeale and Luis Ortiz. But everything changed when he faced Tyson Fury.
Their first fight ended in a draw, with Fury surviving two knockdowns. In the rematch, Fury stopped Wilder in the seventh round. The trilogy fight saw Wilder knocked out, marking the beginning of his decline.
Since then, Wilder's career has been a rollercoaster. He bounced back with a win over Robert Helenius, but suffered a surprising unanimous decision loss to Joseph Parker. His most recent fight ended in a fifth-round knockout loss to Zhilei Zhang.
James Toney, a three-weight world champion, didn't hold back when discussing Wilder's career. In an interview with Fight Hub TV, Toney said:
"Deontay Wilder and that bomb bulls**t. Everybody was believing in that. I told everyone look who he's fighting. He fighting bums. If I was fighting them I would have all fights by knockout. The guys he fought I would've knocked out in two, three rounds too. They built him up right and then when it was time to come through, he failed. He wasn't ready. It's sad seeing what happen to him but it is what it is. Deontay was a one-trick pony."
Toney's criticism points to a larger issue with Wilder's career. While known for his powerful right hand, Wilder lacks versatility in his fighting style. This limitation has become more apparent as he's faced tougher competition.
In recent fights, Wilder has appeared tentative, and his once-feared punching power seems less threatening. Some pundits have even suggested he should consider retirement.
It's worth noting that Toney himself had a long career, fighting 92 times with 10 losses. He was never stopped in a fight, though some critics felt he fought for too long. Toney argues that modern fighters wouldn't last in his era.
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As Wilder's career hangs in the balance, the boxing world watches to see if the "Bronze Bomber" can regain his former glory or if his time at the top has truly come to an end.