By Jim Calfa: Deontay ‘Bronze Bomber’ Wilder confirmed on Wednesday that he’s going to be returning to the ring, and he will not be retiring in response to his recent loss to Tyson Fury last October.
Wilder (42-2-1, 41 KOs) took part in a statue ceremony in his honor today in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The former WBC heavyweight champion Wilder was touched by the show of support by his fans in his hometown.
It was there that he let his fans know that he would be continuing his career. However, the 2008 U.S Olympic bronze medalist Wilder didn’t say when he’ll be fighting next or if he’ll be in action in 2022.
For Wilder’s sake, it would be in his best interest to return to action this year rather than waiting until 2023 before resuming his career. The longer the big punching 6’7″ Wilder waits, the more difficult it’ll be for him to regain his old form.
“I can’t stop right here. I must continue my journey. I have to, I have to,” said Deontay ‘Bronze Bomber’ Wilder on Wednesday at the statue unveiling ceremony in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
What Wilder needs to do is drop some muscle mass to get back down to around 219 to 223 lbs, as that appears to be his best weight range for his career.
In Deontay’s last two fights against Fury, he came into them in the 230s and looked sluggish, slower, and prone to fatigue.
You have to attribute the stamina problems to the added weight that Wilder put on for those fights because he didn’t show conditioning issues in his first fight with the 6’9″ Gypsy King in 2018.
In that fight, Wilder weighed 212 lbs and fought the full 12 rounds with Fury without gassing out.
In the 12th, Wilder knocked Fury silly with a right-left combination that put him to sleep. If Wilder can get his weight down to 212 to 223 lbs, he’s got a chance of getting back in the thick of things.
Other than that, he’ll likely continue to struggle with his stamina if he fights in the 230s.
Intriguing fights for Deontay:
- Anthony Joshua
- Oleksandr Usyk
- Filip Hrgovic
- Andy Ruiz Jr
- Dillian Whyte
- Daniel Dubois
- Joe Joyce
Wilder held the WBC title for a five-year period from 2015 to 2020. With his right-hand power, Wilder was able to beat heavyweights with seemingly more talent than him but who couldn’t take his power. It wasn’t until Wilder ran into the crafty Fury that he finally met his match.
Even then, you can make a case that Wilder deserved two knockout wins over Fury in the first and the third fight. The second fight could have ended in disqualification due to Fury using repeated rabbit punches to aid his victory.
