Deontay Wilder told psychedelic drug could be to blame for poor performance

23 January 2024 , 11:51

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Deontay Wilder told psychedelic drug could be to blame for poor performance

Deontay Wilder has been told an ayahuasca retreat might have contributed to his loss to Joseph Parker.

Former heavyweight champion Wilder shockingly lost to Parker last month to ruin an illustrious two-fight deal with Anthony Joshua. Francis Ngannou has now replaced Wilder as he will fight Joshua on March 8 in Saudi Arabia to close out Riyadh season and Wilder is expected to feature on the undercard.

Wilder visited a luxury ayahuasca treatment centre in the Costa Rican jungle after his consecutive defeats to Tyson Fury. The American said the psychedelic drug reignited his love for boxing, but British boxing legend Carl Froch thinks the substance has taken away Wilder's kill or be killed mentality.

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"I think ayahuasca affected Deontay Wilder's performance, I think it took away his killer instinct and the desire to cause damage. I think it chilled him out too much, it's not good for you. Bad move that. I think he should retire now, he's lost to Joseph Parker, who lost to Dillian Whyte, come on. He's going on as well in age, he's made plenty of money, he's in touch with his spiritual side now and it's put him at peace, but he's no longer in a fighter's frame of mind. He's a lover," Froch told Lord Ping.

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Wilder had only fought once in two years heading into his fight against Parker, which took place on the undercard of Joshua's win against Otto Wallin. 'The Bronze Bomber' toyed with retirement in his post-fight interview and blamed his poor performance on a lengthy absence from the ring.

"It was a lack of activity and my timing was off because of that. I'm so disappointed because I know I'm a way better fighter than [Parker] but everything wasn't aligned for me. I had such a great training camp with good sparring partners, then when I got in the ring everything was off," Wilder told 78SportsTV.

"My mind and my focus was off, certain shots I landed hurt him a few times. When I smell blood, I'm the man who jumps on you but I didn't do that. It was hesitation and I couldn't understand why, my mind was telling me to do it but my body wouldn't react. This was his fourth fight in a year and I was coming back after a year."

Harry Davies