Former heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder suffered a crushing loss at the hands of Zhilei Zhang in the fifth round, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday.
Zhang connected with a well-timed counter right hook that left Wilder defenseless. The Chinese then followed up with another right hand that knocked Wilder down and ultimately led to the referee stopping the fight
Podcast host Carl Froch has weighed in, expressing his belief that it may be time for Wilder to consider retirement.
Froch believes that Wilder’s performance against Zhang showcased a decline in his skills and instincts, indicating that retirement may be the most viable option for the former heavyweight champion.
“I think Deontay Wilder is well past his best. He looked shaky on his legs from the start,” Froch said.
“Does he still think he can knock out people with his right hand? If he does, he lacks the belief.
“Now that the punch is gone along with the punch resistance, I think it’s definitely time for Deontay Wilder to retire.” Froch added.
Wilder achieved great success during his reign as the WBC heavyweight champion, amassing a record of 42 victories, 41 of which came by knockout.
However, his recent losses, including the infamous defeat against Tyson Fury, have cast a shadow over his once-illustrious career.
A brutal defeat can take a toll on a boxer’s physical and mental well-being.
Wilder’s loss to Zhang not only showcased his vulnerabilities in the ring but also raised questions about his ability to recover from such a setback.
Froch argues that, at 38 years old, Wilder may struggle to regain the necessary confidence and motivation to continue at the highest level of the sport.
“He actually did get up and make it to his feet, but he was in trouble. It looked dangerous for him. I think Deontay Wilder needs to retire,” Froch said.
