Despite coming off a surprise loss at the end of the year, former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder has still got options going forward and has now been told that the ‘ball is in his court’ should he want to make a fight with a number one rated contender.
He threw few shots, and nothing of note, while Parker managed to busy himself towards a unanimous 12 round points win against the fearsome puncher, best known for knowing out the vast majority of his opponents.
His interview in the ring afterward very much suggested he might well be ready to retire, though since then he has stated he will be back.
And now he has been offered a route back to the big time with a potential match-up against one of the division’s currently most talked about men.
Speaking to Boxing News, Chinese star and two-time Joe Joyce victor Zhilei Zhang spoke about a potential fight with Wilder on the undercard of Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou on March 8 in Saudi Arabia to end the Riyadh Season.
“I was not aware of the fight until I spoke with my team yesterday. When it comes to Wilder I give him all the credit in the world. He’s such a great fighter. He got the bronze medal at the 2008 Olympics.
“When he turned pro he had all these magnificent knockouts and is a great fighter. I open my arms to a fight with Wilder and that would be a great bang for the sport of boxing.”
He then made it very clear he would love the fight but it’s up to Wilder and his team to accept.
“I would say yes to that fight right now. The ball will be in his hand pretty soon so let’s see what comes up.”
