Recently, Oscar De La Hoya, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions, told the media that former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder (43-4-1, 42 KOs) should not be criticized or pressured into retirement after his fifth-round TKO loss to Zhilei Zhang (27-2-1, 22 KOs). The decision should be left to Wilder to ponder carefully.
De La Hoya said, “Yes, Wilder got knocked out, but there’s no need to criticize him. You don’t tell Wilder he should retire; there’s no reason to belittle him. Wilder will decide for himself if he wants to retire, and fans should respect that choice. My opinion is never to tell a fighter they should retire – it’s a personal decision for everyone, and only the fighter can make that call. So, Wilder can take his time to think about it, rest well, enjoy time with his family, and then make the right decision. It’s his life, and he should be in control.”
The 38-year-old Wilder has lost four of his last five contests, with a solitary first-round stoppage of Robert Helenius in October 2022. However, Helenius was perceived as a mere opponent for a payday, and that quick victory doesn’t necessarily prove much.
De La Hoya: Don’t Undervalue Wilder, Retirement Is His Call. Author：Sports UEFA.Please indicate the source when reproduced：https://www.sportsuefa.com/boxing-zone/7675.html
