'I Can't Stop Now,' Says Refreshed Deontay Wilder About Boxing Future

KEY POINTS

Deontay Wilder hints that retirement is still not on his mind
His last fight saw him inside the ring with Tyson Fury for their trilogy
WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman recently spoke about when Wilder could make his return

American boxing superstar Deontay Wilder has not made the public aware on his future plans since losing by TKO in the 11th round of his trilogy fight with undefeated British heavyweight Tyson Fury in October 2021.

However, Wilder has recently broken his silence during the presentation of a life-sized statue of him, which will be displayed in front of the Tuscaloosa Visitor’s Center in Alabama.

“I can’t stop right now. I must continue with my journey,” Wilder told the crowd during the statue unveiling as quoted by Boxing Scene.

“I love you guys so much. I can’t end it like this. This journey’s not over with. I must continue my journey.”

Losing back-to-back matches to a great fighter like Fury will certainly have anyone guessing, but the warrior’s spirit in Wilder has made it clear that he wants to keep his career rolling.

The third fight with Fury was awarded as The Ring magazine’s 2021 Fight of the Year, a bombastic bout that saw both men get knocked down.

It was a high-octane, knock-you-out affair, but Fury’s sheer force of will allowed him to survive the onslaught that Wilder was throwing back at him and the fight has since been regarded as one of the best heavyweight bouts of all time.

Wilder’s possible return to boxing could come in the form of another title shot, should Fury remain committed to his retirement as was mentioned by WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman.

“Because he [Wilder] is the No. 1-ranked contender in the division. I spoke to him a couple of months ago, he is doing great and he is looking forward to resuming his boxing career,” Sulaiman bared.

Sulaiman also noted that if Fury decides to stay retired, the WBC could institute a winner-takes-on-Wilder wherein Joe Joyce and Joseph Parker--ranked second and third in their rankings respectively--will duke it out first for the right to face the “Bronze Bomber.”

With Wilder already being 36 years old and a strong resume under his belt, he has nothing left to prove to the boxing world and he is more than happy to be recognized by his hometown at this point in his 45-fight career.

“In the midst of this journey, I’m being blessed. It’s not like I’m retired and it’s been ten, twenty years. This is now that I’m getting my flowers,” Wilder told reporters.