In a surprising turn of events, former world heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder faced a points loss against New Zealand’s Joseph Parker, leaving fans and pundits alike in shock. The judges scored it 118-111, 118-110, and 120-108 in favor of Parker, marking Wilder’s third defeat in 47 fights, with the previous two losses against Britain’s Tyson Fury in their thrilling trilogy.
However, in typical Wilder fashion, he brushed off the setback and declared, “this is not the end.” The loss may have dashed hopes for a long-awaited showdown with Britain’s Anthony Joshua, who had secured a victory against Sweden’s Otto Wallin on the same night in Saudi Arabia. The much-anticipated Joshua vs. Wilder clash, which was on the horizon for early 2024, now seems to be hanging in the balance.
Reflecting on his performance, Wilder admitted, “We came up short tonight.” He went on to share his perspective on Instagram, saying, “I don’t know what happened to be honest. My timing was off, and I didn’t let my hands go like I was supposed to. Sometimes it gets like that, but you live to see another fight. You live to see another moment, and that’s all that matters.”
Despite the disappointment, Wilder remained positive and full of gratitude, thanking his fans around the world for their love and support. He reassured them, saying, “This is not the end; we’ll be back.”
Anthony Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, expressed his disappointment with the loss but maintained an optimistic outlook: “We signed the contract finally, and then that happens. He lost every round to Parker, but we move on.” Joshua himself added, “I’m not too sure what can happen from here, but this is elite-level boxing. Wilder just came up short, he’ll live up to fight another day.”
With Joshua’s recent victory over Wallin, he’s back in the limelight and hungry for more success. Hearn hinted at a potential matchup between Joshua and Croatia’s Filip Hrgovic for the IBF title, should the title become vacant due to a Usyk vs. Fury rematch on the horizon.
Joshua’s resurgence in the ring has been credited in part to his new coach, Ben Davison, who previously played a pivotal role in Tyson Fury’s return to the top of the sport. Joshua praised Davison, saying he has “switched on a lightbulb” in him and hasn’t tried to change his style but instead understands how to bring out the best in him.
So, while Deontay Wilder faces a setback on his path to redemption, the world of heavyweight boxing remains as unpredictable and thrilling as ever. Whether it’s Wilder’s comeback or Joshua’s resurgence, one thing is certain: the excitement of the heavyweight division continues to captivate fans worldwide.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Heavyweight Boxing Setback
Q: What was the outcome of the Deontay Wilder vs. Joseph Parker fight?
A: Joseph Parker was awarded a unanimous decision victory over Deontay Wilder, with judges scoring it 118-111, 118-110, and 120-108 in favor of Parker.
Q: How many losses has Deontay Wilder suffered in his career?
A: Deontay Wilder has now experienced three losses in his professional career, with two of those losses coming against Tyson Fury and the most recent against Joseph Parker.
Q: What were the plans for a potential fight between Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder?
A: A long-awaited showdown between Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder was in the works, with a potential date set for early 2024. However, Wilder’s defeat by Joseph Parker has cast uncertainty over this anticipated bout.
Q: Who is Anthony Joshua’s new coach, and what impact has he had on Joshua’s performance?
A: Anthony Joshua’s new coach is Ben Davison, known for his role in Tyson Fury’s comeback. Davison has been credited with rejuvenating Joshua’s confidence and performance in the ring. Joshua mentioned that Davison has “switched on a lightbulb” in him, helping him regain his form.
Q: What’s next for Anthony Joshua after his win against Otto Wallin?
A: After defeating Otto Wallin, Anthony Joshua’s future plans include a potential fight for the IBF title, possibly against Croatia’s Filip Hrgovic, if the title becomes vacant due to a Usyk vs. Fury rematch.
Q: How has Deontay Wilder reacted to his defeat by Joseph Parker?
A: Deontay Wilder remained optimistic despite the loss, stating that “this is not the end.” He acknowledged his performance was off and expressed gratitude for the support from his fans, promising to come back stronger.
More about Heavyweight Boxing Setback
- Deontay Wilder suffers shock points loss to Joseph Parker
- Anthony Joshua wins against Otto Wallin
- Eddie Hearn on Anthony Joshua’s future plans
- Ben Davison’s impact on Anthony Joshua
- Usyk vs. Fury rematch potential
5 comments
wow, Wilder lost? he’s a champ tho, he’ll bounce back for sure. AJ and Wilder gotta happen still, epic fight!
thanks for the update, always hyped for heavyweight action.
wonder what’s up next for AJ, hrgovic fight sounds cool tho
AJ’s new coach, ben davison, sounds legit. joshua’s back in the game!
3 losses in 47 fights ain’t bad for Wilder, he’s got heart. let’s see him rise again!