Deontay Wilder clarifies retirement stance after $100m Anthony Joshua blow

24 December 2023 , 13:09

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Deontay Wilder has ruled out the possibility of hanging up his gloves (Image: Getty Images)

Deontay Wilder has hinted he will NOT retire from boxing following his shock defeat by Joseph Parker.

The 38-year-old was beaten by the New Zealander in Saudi Arabia on Saturday evening to damage plans of a potential showdown against Anthony Joshua. Wilder and Joshua had agreed terms for two-fight $100million deal shootout in 2024, assuming they overcame Parker and Otto Wallin in their respective fights.

Joshua did his job, beating Wallin after the Swede's corner stopped the fight at the end of the fifth round. It was a stunning performance from the Brit, who has now won 27 of his 30 professional bouts in his career. However, Joshua's hopes of fighting Wilder have been dashed, with the American failing to keep his end of the deal, losing almost every round against Parker, who was superb on the night.

Speaking afterwards, Wilder took to Instagram to assess his performance and offer an update on his future. Towards the end, Wilder said: "Sorry if I let anyone down. This is not the end, we'll be back."

This was Wilder's second fight since he was stopped by Tyson Fury in 2021, with his only other fight coming during a devastating one-round KO of Robert Helenius 14 months ago. Wilder didn't make any excuses for the defeat and seemed to suggest he may retire He said: "Today is my daughter's birthday I'm a happy fighter, we go in here and do what we do.

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Deontay Wilder took on Joseph Parker (Getty Images)

"I'm a warrior, I'll be back soon. If not, then I appreciate the love and support everyone has given me over the years. Life is about falling and getting back up, you must get back up," Wilder added. "My timing was off a little bit, big up to Joseph as he did a great job avoiding all of my punches.

"We make no excuses tonight. We’re not going to base it off inactivity, we move onto the next and live to see another day. I tried to stay calm, throw jabs and set up my right hand. I felt like I had the upper hand but these thing happen."

Joshua is now set to fight Filip Hrgovic for a world title after promoter Eddie Hearn implied in his post-fight press conference that a fight for the vacant IBF world title with Hrgovic was now on the cards, before a potential fight against the winner of the unification bout between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk.

Kieran King