Deontay Wilder’s current plight shows no signs of improvement following a knockout loss to Zhilei Zhang in June and troubles in his family life.
The former heavyweight champion’s 2024 got off to the worst start possible when Wilder returned home from Saudi Arabia, having lost to another fighter not named Tyson Fury. Joseph Parker scored a decision win over Wilder in Riyadh to inflict a third career reverse on the American slugger.
Six months later, Zhang gave Wilder a redemption opportunity back in the Kingdom with a final chance to land Anthony Joshua hanging in the balance. A win for Wilder could have seen the 38-year-old challenging for the world heavyweight title in December against his career nemesis [if AJ beats Daniel Dubois on September 21]. However, it all went wrong against Zhang.
The Chinese juggernaut wiped out ‘The Bronze Bomber’ in five rounds, and the ending is considered the worst knockout of Wilder’s career. But leaving Saudi Arabia wasn’t the end of the pain.
Wilder returned home to a temporary restraining order granted to partner Telli Swift, the month of one of the boxer’s eight children. In the TRO, Swift revealed several times Wilder had allegedly abused her.
She said, according to TMZ, that Wilder ‘abused her on multiple occasions over the last six years’ and ‘accused Wilder of choking her at least five times’ and ‘spit on her several other times.’ She also claimed Wilder once shoved her face into a pillow in a fit of rage for so long, she nearly suffocated.’
Deontay Wilder unfollowed by Telli Swift
In the latest development, if social media is anything to go by, Swift seems to be showing no signs of wanting to rekindle the relationship. Swift no longer follows Wilder on Instagram, which could indicate that the wedding is off.
Two defeats followed by abuse accusations and the possible demise of his future wedding would be a hard pill for anyone to swallow. But for it to happen in eight months might prove to be the final nail in Wilder’s career coffin.
The Tuscaloosa native was given a statue in his hometown before Swift’s allegations, which, if proven true, could leave the county with a massive decision to make on their favorite son.
As fans await an update on a potential comeback to the ring, Wilder has kept up a wall of silence. When WBN asked manager Shelly Finkel if Wilder would retire in June, the ex-Mike Tyson handler said it was too early to tell.
Can things get any worse for Deontay Wilder?
Read all articles and exclusive interviews by Phil Jay. Learn more about the author, experienced boxing writer, and World Boxing News Editor since 2010. Follow on Twitter @PhilJWBN.
