Deontay Wilder has one last boxing wish — unification.
Wilder who faces the 31-year-old Joseph Parker on Saturday, December 23 in Saudi Arabia, is eager for what the future holds.
Wilder is at peace. Parker is remaining calm. This sounds more like a Zen buddhist retreat than a heavyweight boxing bout. Yet, the two combatants are challenging their inner-self help guru in the build-up to Saturday’s bout.
Wilder engaged in a rather intense mitt routine with his head coach Malik Scott. Afterward, he sang the praises of Saudi Arabia for making it possible for big heavyweight fights to happen.
“It feels great to be back,” said Wilder after his media workout. “It feels good to have my [Saudi Arabia debut] right here. I think [Saudi Arabia] is doing a great job with promoting boxing and the way they are promoting boxing has never been done or heard of before.”
“One thing about happiness and peace - you can’t buy that. With that being said, I know the secrets of life [which is] being happy and being at peace.”
Wilder, 38-years-old, was last seen knocking out Robert Helenius in one round on October 2022. Wilder has fought on pay-per-view for five out of his last six fights. Having successfully defended his WBC heavyweight title on ten occasions from 2015 to 2020. Though some might question his caliber of opposition.
Some what brings Wilder back after his fourteen month hiatus. The thought of unifying world titles. Wilder held the WBC heavyweight title but was unable to consolidate the heavyweight division. He believes that with the backing of Saudi Arabia, this will be possible.
“Unification — I could have unified three or four times in my career, but none of the other champions never gave me the opportunity. So with that being said, with my second reign this my goal [unification]. My purpose is to unify.”
