What Will Wilder Do?

[Toffee]

We're 4 months on from his last fight, Wilder has since turned 36, and the last I saw he was hinting at retirement.

A few fighters have suggested they would be willing to fight him, and there's silence from team Wilder.

I'm a bit out of the loop. When did we last hear from the Bronze Bomber?

I've been pretty critical of his skills and CV, but he was good fun in the division. I'd pay to watch him, particularly if he lines up the Joshua fight that was such a missed opportunity for the sport, or alternatively I'd like to see him get a decent acknowledgment from the boxing world if he announces his retirement.

Either way, what's he doing? And how long can he say nothing before we assume he's just quietly slipped into retirement? I wouldn't have pegged him as the type to do that.

Right now... his achievements put him in the top 5 of the blue riband division. There's unfinished business one way or another.

[paulf]

"Silence?" He's coming off back to back losses and all the champions are about to embark on a 12-18 month cycle to determine undisputed. He's taking a break and waiting to see where the chips fall.

If Whyte somehow wins against Fury, you can except the WBC to declare Wilder the mandatory and order the fight LOL.

[PeepeePoopooMan]

I doubt he retires. Haymons gonna make windmill-ruiz on ppv

[Earl-Hickey]

His last two fights have been prolonged beat downs.

I know Wilder had 1 round where he dropped fury twice which made that fight seem less one sided but make no mistakes he got beat the eff up for like 20 straight rounds in his last two fights, and his chin got well and truly cracked.

As well as this he's now fought an opponent who his power has not been able to bail him out against, AND live opponents are going to be less awed by his power now and come to pressure and push him back.

As well as this, in the fury saga he's gone from being 32, to coming out the other side of it 36, is his stamina the same? His speed? Not sure on that.

I'm not saying Wilder can't win any big fights, but it's going to be harder now, he's in the same position as AJ currently is where his intimidation factor is low and opponents are really going to feel they can beat him and will fight with confidence.

[786]

While I want him to come back because there's still some good fights out there for him I'd like to see, I'm not sure where his head's at with it.

I saw that Kevin Hart interview a few weeks back (not sure when it took place) and he was in two minds about his return, he said something like on one hand he achieved everything he wanted in the sport, can retire and be happy while on the other hand there's still things he can do in boxing.

I don't know, might just need some time to get his head together and get motivated for another opponent but thinking/talking about retirement isn't a good sign.

[QueensburyRules]

- - N'er speak ill of the dead or the brain damaged.

[DaNeutral.]

While I want him to come back because there's still some good fights out there for him I'd like to see, I'm not sure where his head's at with it.

I saw that Kevin Hart interview a few weeks back (not sure when it took place) and he was in two minds about his return, he said something like on one hand he achieved everything he wanted in the sport, can retire and be happy while on the other hand there's still things he can do in boxing.

I don't know, might just need some time to get his head together and get motivated for another opponent but thinking/talking about retirement isn't a good sign.

I don't want to see him come back if his head and heart isn't in it. That's when you take losses that are below you. But I would love for him to return.

[SN!PER]

His right hand has been broken so many times. It got shattered again when he landed on Fury's forehead and dropped him in the last fight. Not sure how much longer the hand can hold up, but I'd like to see him take on one final fight against Anthony Joshua.

[PRINCEKOOL]

4 months is not a super long time, but? What has Wilder being doing in this 4 months? Very limited interviews, I don't see much training. None of this suggest to me, that he wants to carry on etc

So much passion and energy was put into the trilogy with Fury, that I honestly think Wilder may have left it all in the ring.

When a fighter like Wilder is beaten, in a certain manner 'They can sometimes never be the same again'.

Lets say if Wilder was beaten on points, and he scored multiple knock-downs. I think this is enough of a performance for Wilder in his mind 'To still think that his power is not survivable'. It was Wilder's punching power, and his own ability to survive which reinforced his belief in himself. Now two of those attributes have been overcome by a opponent.

Tyson Fury not only out boxed Wilder, over the duration of three fights 'Yes he was still getting hurt by Wilder, but by the third fight he was starting to become invulnerable to Wilder's power'. This changes the entire perception of Wilder in his own mind 'And I am not sure he can deal with it'.

It is like when the 4 minute mile was broken, before it was broken? Scientist deemed that it was not possible for a human being to run a mile under 4 minutes. But as soon as it was broken, some sort of butterfly affect began to happen 'In less that 2 months after Roger Bannister broke the 4 minutes mile, a second athlete broke through the barrier' Some sort of universal shift happened, athletes entered into a new performance realm.

Maybe now fighters go in against Wilder knowing, somewhere within their being 'That it is possibly to survive Wilder's power'.

Note: Deontay Wilder for me was a great Champion, and did not give his titles up easily. The man fought until the end, until there was no more 'That is Gladiator behavior in a so called civilized modern society'. Tyson Fury may not ever been pushed like he was against Wilder ever again, even in a loss Wilder gained the admiration of all fighting men 'The same way Kiltschko did vs Joshua, and Evander Holyfield did against Rid**** Bowe I'.

I have always thought that David Haye should of retired after Tony Bellew I, because he also was in that same position.

[TMLT87]

Hopefully we get Wilder/Ruiz.