Frank Warren suggests an injury may be to blame for 'dreadful' Deontay Wilder performance that scuppered Anthony Joshua fight

24/12/2023 13:48

Frank Warren believes Deontay Wilder was nursing an injury ahead of the Day of Reckoning.

The former WBC heavyweight champion suffered a shocking loss to Joseph Parker, who easily outpointed him over 12 rounds, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Saturday night.

"I thought he looked pretty dreadful," Warren told talkSPORT's Gareth A. Davies while reflecting on Wilder's loss at ringside post-fight.

"He did a very good job, Joe, right from the start."

Warren went on to reveal a member of Wilder's team suggested to him an injury problem arose before the fight – but he didn't go into detail about exactly what the issue was.

He added: "I really don't know what he does now, Deontay.

"I was just talking to Shelly Finkel [Wilder's manager] and they were telling me that he had a problem. He went into one of those Cryochambers and sat in it for a long time.

"I don't know. Obviously, there's going to be some excuse."

So far, Wilder has refused to make any excuses for his third career defeat.

The 38-year-old kept it classy during his post-fight interview.

“I did [think he did enough to win], but my timing was off a little bit," Wilder said.

“Joseph did a great job in avoiding my punches. We make no excuses tonight, it was a good fight and we move on to the next thing.

“Like I said, timing was off a little bit, he did a good job of avoiding and ducking. I did feel like I had the upper hand, but things happen.”

Wilder refused to rule out retirement in the ring, but once he got back to his hotel room, he was quick to confirm he would fight on in 2024.

"I'll be back," he insisted in a video posted to his Instagram account.

Exactly who Wilder will fight next is unclear after his shock defeat derailed a mega-money clash with Anthony Joshua, who beat Otto Wallin in the main event of the evening.