Lewis knows a thing or two about the fight game. He's a three-time heavyweight champ and the last undisputed heavyweight king before Oleksandr Usyk. So when he talks, people listen.
Wilder used to be the guy everyone feared in the ring. He held the WBC heavyweight title from 2015 to 2020 and knocked out almost everyone he faced. But lately, things haven't gone his way.
The Bronze Bomber has lost 4 of his last 5 fights. He got knocked out twice by Tyson Fury, lost badly to Joseph Parker, and most recently, Zhang put him down for the count.
Lewis took to social media to share his thoughts. He wrote:
"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."
Wilder's career took a turn after his controversial draw with Fury. Then came two knockout losses to the Gypsy King, followed by defeats to Parker and Zhang.
The Zhang fight was particularly tough, with Wilder getting knocked out in the fifth round. To make matters worse, Wilder recently revealed he fought with a major injury.
Lewis's advice comes from a place of concern. He wants Wilder to protect his health and enjoy life after boxing. After all, Wilder's achieved a lot in the sport and made a good living.
As for the heavyweight division, it's moved on. Usyk recently became the undisputed champ by beating Fury, a title Lewis himself once held.
The ball's now in Wilder's court. Will he take Lewis's advice and call it a career? Or will he try to climb back to the top? Only time will tell.