Joseph Parker, one of only three fighters to avoid a knockout by Deontay Wilder, has given his honest take on Wilder's power and comeback chances. Parker beat Wilder in December 2023, putting a stop to the American's return to boxing.
Wilder's got a big reputation in boxing. He's won 43 out of 48 fights, and 42 of those wins came by knockout. That's why many think he's got one of the hardest punches in boxing history.
Parker told Casino Hawks what he thinks about Wilder's power:
"Deontay Wilder will always have what it takes to be a champion again because he punches like a mule. If you think Dubois is a powerhouse, Wilder has extremely powerful hands and he has shown that in a lot of his fights."
The New Zealander thinks Wilder's knockout record speaks for itself:
"Probably has the best records out there when it comes to knocking people out. He has a good knockout ratio with the fights he has had."
When it comes to Wilder making a comeback, Parker thinks it's possible:
"If he believes in himself and gets his training right, I'm sure he can come back."
Parker points to George Foreman winning a world title late in his career as proof that older heavyweights can still succeed.
Wilder's not had it easy lately. After losing to Parker, he got stopped by Zhilei Zhang in five rounds. But he's not giving up. He's set to fight Tyrrell Herndon on June 27. At 39, this could be Wilder's last shot at the top.
While Wilder's trying to climb back up, Parker's in a good spot. He's next in line to fight the winner of Oleksandr Usyk vs Daniel Dubois for the undisputed title. He'll probably take another fight first to keep his mandatory status.
