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Former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder finds himself at a crossroads in his boxing career following a loss to Joseph Parker in a high-stakes bout on Saturday night in Saudi Arabia.
Wilder, 38, entered the ring with limited recent action since his 2021 trilogy defeat to Tyson Fury. Against Parker, he struggled to assert himself, allowing Parker to dominate with solid right hands throughout the match. Despite being rocked by a powerful right hand in the eighth round, Wilder managed to stay in the fight.
However, after twelve rounds, Parker emerged victorious with a dominant unanimous decision, with the judges scoring the fight 118-111, 118-110, and 120-108 in his favor.
In the aftermath of the loss, Wilder expressed uncertainty about his future in boxing. While he left the possibility of a comeback open, he also hinted at the potential of retirement.
"We'll see what happens, we still have a little bit left, but I did a great job managing my money. 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," Wilder said.
Despite Wilder's optimism, the defeat was a significant setback, as it dashed hopes for a highly anticipated bout with career rival Anthony Joshua. A deal had been in place for the two to meet in March 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, but Wilder's loss has cast doubt on the future of that matchup.
Meanwhile, Joshua headlined the event and secured a victory over Otto Wallin, further adding to Wilder's disappointment.
As Wilder contemplates his next move, the boxing world waits to see whether he will choose to continue his career or pursue other endeavors outside the ring.
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