Despite the fact that many thought he was “finished” after a tough defeat to Zhilei Zhang in June 2024, Deontay Wilder is far from thinking about retirement. At 39 years of age and after his triumphant return with a stunning knockout of Tyrrell Herndon, the “Bronze Bomber” says he has much more to offer in professional boxing.
Am I going to fully commit to it or not? I’ve got 10 years left to do what I’ve got to do, to enjoy this little moment while I’m here, and I’m going to have a great time doing it
Wilder explained that the defeat to Zhang was a turning point, not a closure: “It allowed me to restart my career. I feel rejuvenated, as if I’m just starting out.”
Deontay Wilder wants to fight until he is 50 years old and is inspired by legends like Bernard Hopkins
In an interview with Ariel Helwani, the boxer was asked if his intention was to box until he was 50 years old, and Wilder did not hesitate to reaffirm his position:
In the heavyweights we tend to last a little longer. We don’t take as much damage as the smaller guys, and the division is not so saturated. Look at Bernard Hopkins, he fought until he was almost 50. We can do it too
Wilder, who began his professional career at the age of 21, said he feels in excellent shape: “Age is what it is, but it doesn’t define how we feel. Some young people feel old, some older people feel young. I’m ready to start this new chapter”.
Deontay Wilder vs Francis Ngannou? Former champion does not rule it out
In addition to clarifying his future, Wilder spoke about the possibility of facing former UFC champion Francis Ngannou in a high-impact fight that fans have been waiting years for. Although the Cameroonian has yet to secure a victory as a professional boxer, his defeats were against the giants Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.
I’m interested, of course I am … Ngannou is a knockout artist, just like me. Those kind of fights are the ones that excite. It would be a war
While Wilder is going through a tough streak with two wins and four losses in his last six fights, his knockout power is still feared. For many, the clash with Ngannou would be the most explosive clash of punchers that can be given today outside the championship circuit.
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