Deontay Wilder acquired knocked out in his final battle, however the American slugger nonetheless has two world title choices if he chooses to make a comeback.
After being mauled by Chinese language big Zhilei Zhang, Wilder retains a possible three-weight world champion bid – one by his personal admission. Not so way back, Wilder made, on the time, what appeared like a throwaway remark about combating at cruiserweight.
The ‘Bronze Bomber” acknowledged he may drop down ‘for the enjoyable of it’ and attempt to win one other division world title. Nevertheless, the WBC has added a weight class between heavyweight and cruiserweight since then. Due to this fact, Wilder has the choice to battle for each the 224-pound and 200-pound variations.
WBN believes a minimum of one problem in one other division is a definite chance for Wilder, provided that the WBC continues to rank the Tuscaloosa native within the prime fifteen at 200-plus. Each will not be out of the realm of chance earlier than he retires, ought to Wilder come once more quickly.
If his non-public issues don’t delay one other profession delay, Wilder might take into account difficult for the WBC cruiserweight or bridgerweight titles. The present champions are Noel Mikaelian and Lawrence Okolie. Provided that Mikaelian is below the steerage of Don King, that could be probably the most simple route for Wilder. It’s no secret that King would like to work with one other top-name heavyweight after his run with Mike Tyson.
There isn’t a timescale on the transfer, however Wilder competing for a second-weight championship is immediately doable. Wilder comfortably makes the bridgerweight restrict. Due to this fact, he would undoubtedly be accepted to problem Okolie. Wilder wouldn’t even must boil down as he’s scaled below the restrict many instances in recent times, ten kilos below that poundage in his final battle.
Regardless of his latest troubles, Wilder has at all times punched above his pay grade. His win over Robert Helenius proved the 38-year-old stays harmful at any weight.
Talking in 2018, Wilder took to Instagram to first reveal his eventual plan, which many initially scoffed at.
“What’s up, boxing world? You recognize, I’ve simply been sitting in my automobile considering. I’ve been fascinated with shifting right down to the cruiserweight and taking up that division as soon as I unify the heavyweight division,” he acknowledged.
“There’s by no means been a heavyweight ever go down in weight. I imply, only for the enjoyable of it. Simply take over the cruiserweight division whereas sustaining the heavyweight division.”
Wilder strives for that, and he’s at all times needed to make historical past. So, changing into the primary prime division ruler to maneuver down poundage is true up his road.
Oleksandr Usyk has already dominated out ever combating him, so Wilder has zero title choices left at heavyweight and might solely win a title in both of these weights.
Learn all articles and unique interviews by Phil Jay. Study extra in regards to the creator, skilled boxing author, and World Boxing Information Editor since 2010. Observe on Twitter @PhilJWBN.
