Warren says Wilder has a ‘big struggle’ to resurrect career after chastening Parker loss

Published 02/01/2024 at 18:43 GMT

Frank Warren has questioned if Deontay Wilder can recover from his shock defeat to Joseph Parker in their ‘Day of Reckoning’ showdown. Parker completely dominated the ‘Bronze Bomber’ in their fight last month, and the result means it is less likely that Wilder will seal a long-awaited meeting with Anthony Joshua. Warren said Wilder looked like a “shot fighter”.Deontay Wilder looks on during the WBC International & WBO Intercontinental Heavyweight title fight between Deontay Wilder and Joseph Parker during the Day of Reckoning: Fight Night at Kingdom Arena on December 23, 2023 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Image credit: Getty Images

Boxing promoter Frank Warren has warned Deontay Wilder that his career could be “over” if he doesn’t put on a better performance in his next fight.

Parker dominated Wilder for the majority of the fight and came away victorious by unanimous decision.

“I did think at the end of the day, he looked like a shot fighter to me,” he said.

“That’s how he looked. And he’s come out with various reasons behind the scenes, which I’ve heard, but the proof has got to be in the pudding.

“If he comes back and has another fight, he certainly can’t have another performance like that because it will all be over.

“I think he’s got a big struggle to get himself back into it. If he decides he wants to do that, I think he’s got a big struggle because he certainly wasn’t at the races.”

Wilder’s defeat means that he is unlikely to face Anthony Joshua in a highly-anticipated showdown later this year.

Joshua and Wilder had – according to some reports – agreed to fight on March 9, providing they beat their respective opponents – Otto Wallin and Parker.

“AJ-Wilder? To resurrect that there’s got to be some sort of outstanding performance from Wilder,” Warren added.

Similarly to Wilder, Joshua was also confident that the mouth-watering fight between the pair could still go ahead.

“I could rip him for all the things he’s said about me but I’ll take the higher ground,” Joshua said after his win over Wallin.

“He can come back. I’m sure everyone still wants to see that fight.”

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