Deontay Wilder on his way back to the top and even Tyson Fury wouldn't be surprised if Anthony Joshua avoids 'equaliser' of right hand

18/12/2023 18:10

When Deontay Wilder was knocked out by Tyson Fury for the second time, it seemed that might be the end of his boxing career.

Fury proved to be Wilder’s kryptonite, having reigned as WBC heavyweight world champion for five years before ‘The Gypsy King’ came along and took it all away.

‘The Bronze Bomber’ was 40-0 before he encountered Fury, knocking out every man he faced in the ring, as he built a reputation for being arguably the hardest puncher in heavyweight boxing history.

But, when Fury made his return to the ring after three years out in 2018, Wilder agreed to take on the toughest test of his career to date and it proved too much.

In their first fight, the bout ended in a controversial draw, with many people believing Fury had done enough to get the decision, despite being knocked down twice.

In their next two fights in 2020 and 2021 respectively, Fury was not willing to let the judges determine his fate, as he knocked out Wilder on both occasions.

Given Wilder’s brash personality and supreme confidence in his own ability, suffering successive losses was always going to be difficult to come back from, so no one would have been surprised if he had hung up his gloves following these defeats.

But last year, Wilder bounced back, as he took on Robert Helenius and knocked him out in round one showing everyone that he remains one of the most dangerous men in the division.

And now he faces a real test against former WBO heavyweight world champion, Joseph Parker, on December 23 in Saudi Arabia.

With that being said, Wilder is still the favourite to emerge victorious and afterwards he is expected to fight Anthony Joshua, who will clash with Otto Wallin on the same card on December 23.

This is a fight that has been in the works for years, but it looks more likely now than ever before to actually materialise.

Although, given Wilder’s power, Fury believes AJ should avoid this fight, saying after his first fight with Wilder in 2018: “It's no secret that [Anthony] Joshua did not want this fight and he didn't want it for a reason.

"Because Deontay Wilder is the most fiercest puncher in boxing history, in heavyweight division history.

"And I saw that and I felt it. No wonder AJ didn't want no part of that right hand!

"He can't move like me, he would have been nailed.”

And former heavyweight world champion, David Haye, who has previously sparred Wilder, echoed Fury’s sentiment about the American’s power and also revealed he has a great chin, too.

"I've sparred with Deontay Wilder many times," Haye said. "He's got a very, very, very, hard right hand and it's an equaliser.

"I've hit Deontay Wilder on the chin with shots that would have knocked out most heavyweights and he's been able to stay on his feet.

"He may get buzzed, but he's still on his feet and he was firing back.

“His punch power is 10 out of 10, that’s it. I don’t know how else to say it. You know when you’ve been hit by him. It’s very different to anyone else.

“He is the hardest puncher I’ve ever been in the ring with.”

This power is something Joshua and particularly Parker will have to be wary off and Wilder has already sent his next opponent a warning.

“[Parker] should be worried,” Wilder told talkSPORT. “Anyone who faces me should be worried.

“Women lie, men lie, but numbers don’t lie and I am the hardest puncher in boxing history and numbers don’t lie, at all.

“Every guy I’ve faced I’ve knocked out or put on the canvas, so I’m very dangerous and he should be aware of that.”