Deontay Wilder is ready to return to the ring.
After fourteen months away, he is set to do battle on December 23 in Saudi Arabia against Joseph Parker in a bout that pits two former world champions against each other.
Yet, it also seems to be the bridge to the super-fight the world wants to see — Anthony Joshua versus Deontay Wilder.
With a sizable investment put into ‘Day of Reckoning’. It seems that the goal is to have both fighters tested, and hopefully win, to set the stage for a mega-fight.
Wilder, for one, alluded to the fact that despite Joshua and himself losing in separate fights in the past, the interest in their own match is still there.
“I have Joseph Parker in front of me,” said Wilder at the grand arrivals of Day of Reckoning. “I never look past a fighter, but I do window shop. I do look through the glass window a little, bit.”
“We are here for Joseph Parker, but everyone wants [to see me fight] AJ. It is the biggest fight in the world, and it still is. It has been.”
Wilder, now 38-years-old, with a record of 43 wins, 2 losses, and one draw is known for one thing — power. With 42 of his fights coming by way of knockout.
Wilder has found himself one of the marquee names in the sport for good reason. He can knock anyone out, and because of that, he provides excitement. This is something he intends to prove come Friday in Saudi Arabia.
Parker, age 31, might be younger, but has been through some grueling fights. He lost to Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte in back-to-back fights. Parker was stopped last year by Joe Joyce, but has won three straight fights leading into this bout.
“If you want to see knockouts, put Deontay Wilder on the card. If you want to see excitement put Deontay Wilder on the card.”
“When people come to see heavyweight boxers, they come to see the knockout.”
