Deontay Wilder’s fight plans are once again up in the air, with the American knockout-artist having no solid return date twelve months on from his last outing.
The former WBC World Heavyweight Champion beat Robert Helenius in the first round of their October 2022 bout one year on from his second career loss to Tyson Fury.
The period after the Fury fight saw the American consider retirement, but he ultimately returned and showed why he was exciting against Helenius. Now clear on sticking around the sport, he hasn’t been able to secure a fight.
His main two targets have been fellow former champions, Andy Ruiz Jr and Anthony Joshua.
After shaming both fighters for not really looking to fight his man, trainer Malik Scott told FightHype that the more likely opponent was Ruiz.
“Andy Ruiz probably at this point. AJ is cool if he go his whole career without fighting Deontay. He don’t really mind it. You don’t see him fighting for it.
AJ doesn’t campaign about the fight enough. He doesn’t really want it – and we all know why. Because stylistically he’s picture perfect to be knocked out by Deontay.”
Fans are frustrated by both sets of negotiations, but perhaps more so Ruiz given that the fight was actually ordered by the WBC to take place.
Even despite that extra push from the sanctioning body, as well as an appetite from the public, the teams couldn’t reach an agreement. Ruiz’ side claim this was because of a low-ball offer, whilst Wilder says the Mexican-American clearly priced himself out.
Pair that disagreement with the fact that a long-discussed offer from Saudi Arabia to stage the Joshua fight is now off the table, and Wilder looks perhaps further away from a ring return than ever.