Deontay Wilder’s trainer Malik Scott is proving humble in defeat.
Wilder’s showing against Parker was his most underwhelming in years. The famously big hitter was reluctant to pull the trigger and spent much of the fight going backward.
Parker continued to move into range and throw plenty of haymakers, occasionally catching Wilder and trapping him in the corner for periods of sustained pressure. He would then get back to the outside, avoiding that mid-range that is so dangerous against Wilder.
It’s likely that Wilder only having had one round in two years played a huge part in that, as is the new and laidback mentality he spoke of in the ring afterward following an ayahuasca experience in South America.
The win gets Parker back into world title contention and leaves Wilder out in the cold despite it being revealed that he had signed to fight Anthony Joshua in March should he have won on the Day of Reckoning card.
Speaking to Fight Hype, Malik Scott admitted Wilder was off it and gave Parker plenty of praise.
“Everybody’s trying to find an answer, but Father Time is undefeated. Deontay couldn’t pull the trigger like we trained to do in such a short little time after a two-year layoff. And, we have to give credit to the f**king opponent.”
He went on to praise the game plan of Parker and coach Andy Lee.
“People were saying all the things but it was a very dangerous fight to take on in a short period of time coming off a two year lay off. Did I think Deontay could catch Parker? I did. But Andy and Joe, they had a great game plan.”