Deontay Wilder is getting ready for a comeback in the boxing ring. The former WBC Heavyweight World Champion has set his sights on three potential opponents for his return fight.
Wilder's recent performances have left his career hanging in the balance. He's only won one of his last five bouts over the past four years. His latest setbacks include a defeat on points to Joseph Parker and a knockout loss to Zhilei Zhang.
Despite these challenges, Wilder's trainer and former opponent, Malik Scott, has confirmed the boxer's comeback plans. Scott shared this information in a recent interview with Genting Casino.
Three fighters are on Wilder's radar for his return to the ring. Derek Chisora, who's always been keen on facing dangerous opponents, is one potential matchup. Chisora has expressed interest in fighting Wilder in the past and is coming off a win against Joe Joyce. He's looking for two more fights before hanging up his gloves.
Anthony Joshua (AJ) is another possible opponent, though he's the least likely of the three at this point. In the past, Joshua's team seemed hesitant about a Wilder fight, viewing AJ as their main investment. Now, Joshua's career is on an upward trajectory, contrasting with Wilder's recent struggles. AJ is gearing up to challenge Daniel Dubois for the IBF World Heavyweight Title but hasn't completely ruled out a future clash with Wilder.
The third potential opponent is Francis Ngannou, the former UFC Champion. Ngannou has lost his two professional boxing matches against Joshua and Tyson Fury. However, he's made it clear that his boxing journey isn't over. Right now, Ngannou is focusing on his upcoming PFL fight against Renan Ferreira on October 19.
Scott shared his thoughts on these potential matchups:
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"All heavyweight matchups now are competitive. Deontay needs to be paid big for the risks he takes. The biggest potential fights are with Ngannou and AJ. The AJ fight might not have the same juice it once did, but it would still sell out any arena or stadium. Seeing them in the ring would be a joy for fans. A fight with Ngannou could be huge if he keeps performing and wants it."
Scott also expressed pride in Wilder for still being in a position to make big fights happen. Now, boxing fans are waiting for an official statement from Wilder himself about his comeback plans.