Deontay Wilder Doesn't Want To Retire

Deontay Wilder will be in the ring again next year (Instagram/@brozebomber).

JAKARTA The former heavyweight world champion from the United States, Deontay Wilder, will not hang up his boxing gloves or retire in the near future.

The 39-year-old fighter has lost four of his last five fights since 2020. However, he has no plans to end his career in fistfighting.

"He definitely wants to fight again. That's for sure," said Malik Scott, who is Wilder's coach, as quoted from Boxing Scene.

Wilder last got into the ring against Chinese boxer Zhilei Zhang, in June 2024 at Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. In that duel he gave up a technical knockout (TKO) in the fifth round.

It was the second consecutive defeat experienced by boxers who were famous for knockout (KO) wins over their opponents since defeating Robert Helenius in October 2022.

Before that victory, he also lost twice in a row against British fighter Tyson Fury. The first defeat cost him the WBC title and then he failed to reclaim the title in a rematch.

Malik said that currently Wilder is still focusing on taking a break, taking care of his family, and business so that the possibility of returning to the ring can only be done in the coming year.

"When you're in the second half of your career and in a high-level fight against a bigger boxer, rest is as important as running and boxing," Malik said again.

There are a number of names that are currently on the list as potential opponents who are likely to duel with Wilder in 2025. Among them are Anthony Joshua, Andy Ruiz Jr, and Jarrell Miller.