Will Deontay Wilder retire if he loses to Zhilei Zhang?
Zhilei Zhang represents a career-defining moment for the Bronze Bomber with the end of the road a distinct possibility if Wilder loses.
Deontay “Bronze Bomber” Wilder (43-3-1) will return to the ring this weekend against Zhilei “Big Bang” Zhang (26-2-1), nominally on the undercard of the Dmitri Bivol and Malik Zinad fight at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Although in reality Wilder - Zhang is the biggest fight on the card now that Artur Beterbiev has pulled out of the fight.
In an interview with Seconds Out, former WBC world champion Wilder said that the result of the fight against Zhang could define his future in boxing.
“I’ve had a successful career and it’s a kill or be killed moment. “I don’t think the heavyweight division is exciting without Deontay Wilder in it, but come Saturday night we will see,” said the 38-year-old. “Will I prevail? Will I succeed? Who knows. This could be the final goodbye, the farewell of Deontay Wilder if I lose.”
“The savagery of The Bronze Bomber is back. I was at too much peace, and war and peace don’t mix. The only time war and peace mix is when the war is over and victory has been claimed.”
If he beats Zhang, Wilder is likely to enter the ring next against Anthony Joshua. The British former unified heavyweight champion does not have a confirmed fight in the near future since he defeated Francis Ngannou by knockout in the third round last March. AJ is widely expected to face the winner of Filip Hrgovic and Daniel Dubois’ bout in September, but Wilder could become the wild card in that plan.
Wilder has already flirted with retirement
After being defeated by New Zealand’s Joseph Parker by unanimous decision in December 2023, Wilder thought about hanging up his gloves and saying goodbye to the ring. Likewise, after losing to Tyson Fury in 2020 and 2021, retirement was an option for the 2008 Olympian.