Heavyweight legend Lennox Lewis has advised former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder to consider retirement following his knockout loss to Chinese heavyweight Zhilei Zhang. The defeat occurred during the main event of the Matchroom vs Queensberry show in Saudi Arabia on Saturday night.
Wilder, once known for his devastating knockout power, was stopped in the fifth round by a brutal right hook from Zhang, which left him disoriented and staggering. Moments later, Zhang delivered another powerful punch, sending Wilder crashing to the mat. Although Wilder managed to get back on his feet before the referee’s count ended, he was visibly out on his feet, prompting the referee to wave off the fight.
This loss marks Wilder’s second defeat in six months, having previously been outclassed by Joseph Parker in December. Combined with his two knockout losses to Tyson Fury in their trilogy bout, Wilder has now lost four of his last five fights. The recent defeat to Zhang has likely dashed any remaining hopes of a much-anticipated showdown with Anthony Joshua, further diminishing Wilder’s standing in the heavyweight division.
Lennox Lewis, a former undisputed heavyweight champion, has now urged Wilder to retire from boxing, emphasizing the importance of health and well-being over continuing to fight. “The Bronze Bomber told us before the fight that he would retire if he didn’t win. I think that is a wise decision,” Lewis wrote on X. “He has more than carved out a life in which he can take care of his daughter, so before he suffers any more damage, it is best to leave the game with your faculties intact because there’s a LOT more life to live after boxing.”
Anthony Joshua, who watched the fight from ringside, has a more measured take on Wilder’s future. Joshua, who defeated Filip Hrgovic the same night to possibly set up a fight with Daniel Dubois at Wembley in September, urged Wilder not to rush into any decisions. “It’s completely up to him, I can’t say,” Joshua told DAZN when asked if Wilder should retire.
“I just look at it and say, ‘if you want to do it, do it,’ it’s not a big deal boxing, if you want to fight, fight on, and if you don’t want to do it, don’t do it any more, it’s just where your heart’s at,” Joshua continued. “He went in there against a good fighter in Zhilei, he’s an Olympian, Zhilei, people forget that, he’s come through, he’s got a great style, I fought him before in the Olympics and he’s still doing what he does now, so many years on. He was in with a real good, seasoned professional with a great pedigree. It doesn’t matter, come again if you want, and if you don’t, you’ve got your family there, there’s another life outside of boxing for him.”
As Wilder contemplates his future, the boxing community watches closely, recognizing the toll that the sport can take on its athletes. Whether he chooses to continue fighting or decide to retire, Wilder’s legacy in the ring, highlighted by his explosive knockouts and dramatic fights, remains significant. However, the focus now shifts to his health and well-being, with many hoping he makes the best decision for his future.
