Deontay Wilder Hints at Retirement After Lopsided Upset Loss in Saudi Arabia

The heavyweight star’s future appears to be up in the air after losing in lopsided fashion to Joseph Parker on Saturday.

After losing as a massive favorite on Saturday, Deontay Wilder gave boxing fans a subtle yet eye-opening hint on his mindset as the heavyweight star mulls his future plans.

Wilder (43-3-1) faced criticism and questions surrounding his career after falling in Saudi Arabia to New Zealand’s Joseph Parker (34–3) by unanimous decision, 118–111, 118–110, 120–108. After the stunning defeat, Wilder shocked the boxing world for a different reason when the 38-year-old suggested he’s considering retirement after a 15-year run. 

“We’ll see what happens, we still have a little bit left, but I did a great job managing my money,” Wilder said, per talkSPORT.com. “I’m a happy fighter. I’ll be back, and if not, then it’s been a pleasure. I don’t know [if I still have the same fire I used to], a lot has calmed me down. I’ve been wearing this smile all week long and I’mma still wear it. Nothing can stop me on that.”

Although it could’ve been in the moment, the former heavyweight champion’s comments indicate that he would be content if Saturday’s bout was his last. 

Not to mention, Wilder’s options for his next opponents now appear to be limited with his loss to Parker derailing plans for a March 9 fight with British star Anthony Joshua, who co-featured on the Saudi Arabia card.

118-111
118-110
120-108

Joe Parker has defeated Deontay Wilder on the scorecards! ✍️

Watch #DayOfReckoning LIVE on TNT Sports Box Office ▶️ https://t.co/xn85V5NLHU pic.twitter.com/nFQ2FkSna3

— Boxing on TNT Sports (@boxingontnt) December 23, 2023

Should his 47th career fight prove to be his swan song, Wilder would move on from the sport he once dominated having lost three of his last four fights, including two losses to Tyson Fury—the man who helped Parker prepare for Saturday.