Deontay Wilder looks to bring back the ‘Bronze Bomber’ of old with big fights around the corner

Although he remains undaunted by the accomplishment, former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder couldn’t help but share his latest observation as he enters Saturday’s return to the ring headlining a pay-per-day card. view in Saudi Arabia.

“No one respects a guy who is at peace,” Wilder told DAZN cameras this week during a stidown interview.

At peace was where the 38-year-old found himself in December as he tried to overcome a long period of inactivity that saw him box just one round professionally over a two-year period. Fresh from an ayahuasca spiritual retreat that gave the slugger a newfound peace, it was the overall performance that followed a lifeless decision loss to a rejuvenated former champion Joseph Parker that suddenly had everyone clamoring for the “Bronze Bomber” of old. .

“Only the strong survive in this business and if you don’t have that killer instinct and mentality, you won’t last long in it,” Wilder said. “They don’t want the peaceful Wilder. Nobody wants the peaceful Wilder. I was criticized a lot [previously] for being the wild man Wilder, so why do I need to express myself a certain way when I’m not being appreciated? When I bring peace, they say, ‘We don’t want it anymore.’ So what the hell do they want?”

Wilder, who made 10 defenses of his WBC title from 2015-19, suddenly had almost everyone speculating that his 16-year professional career was about to end. Even Turki Alalshikh, chairman of Saudi Arabia’s general entertainment authority, who led his country’s deep financial investment in the sport, sat down with Wilder and called for the former’s aggressive version to return immediately.

Fortunately for Wilder’s bank account, he listened.

The Tuscaloosa, Alabama native enters Saturday’s fight against former interim titleholder Zhilel “Big Bang” Zhang at a crossroads moment, as the two touch gloves inside the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, leading a “5 vs. . stars from rival promoters Eddie Hearn (Matchroom Sport) and Frank Warren (Queensberry Promotions) against each other.

If Wilder wins (or, at least, looks great in losing, per Alashikh) against the 41-year-old Zhang (26-2-1, 21 KOs), who lost his own decision and interim WBO title in March to Parker despite leaving him After falling twice, an equally difficult fight awaits on August 3 in Los Angeles, when Alashikh makes his US debut as a de facto promoter in Los Angeles and faces Wilder against undefeated American Jared “Big Baby” Anderson (17-0 , 15 knockouts).

If that wasn’t enough, a win over both will likely lead Wilder to the one fight fans have been clamoring for but never received over the past decade: a showdown against two-time unified champion Anthony Joshua (28-3, 25 KOs).

Talk about pressure and motivation. A bad defeat this weekend will likely end Wilder’s distinguished career, while a win will put him further on the path to some of the biggest one-night paydays of his career, given Saudi Arabia’s overwhelming investment in the heavyweight division.

“We analyzed all aspects of this situation [after the loss] and it was a lesson for me,” Wilder said. “I haven’t forgotten [Parker]. I never look past an opponent, but I look past him to what comes next. This loss is a lesson for me, but it became a blessing when I returned home. I became a gym rat again, as if it had become a job for me.

“I knew immediately that we were going [fight] again. I didn’t know where. Thank God I’m back in the Kingdom so I can get that one back. It’s a different opponent, but I want to show people that I can deliver the man they were waiting for.”

The man they were waiting for is one of the most devastating and feared punchers in the history of the sport. But not only were Wilder’s legs visibly thin and muscleless against Parker, he also seemed to lack the killer instinct that made him so dynamic, despite how often critics took offense to Wilder’s controversial stance on his desire. of killing another man inside the ring with a punch.

Since his ability to throw punches seemed to have disappeared against Parker, along with his level of caution when facing defeat, the urgent call was made by seemingly everyone to resurrect the warrior of old. And as the first boxer, Wilder answered the call.

“I just have to go out there and be myself. I’m going to do what I know how to do,” Wilder said. “I trained a lot for this. Last time, I knew what to do, but I couldn’t pull the trigger. I saw some things, but the body didn’t react. It’s going to be a different fight this time and if it’s not a different fight, retirement is highly regarded.”

Wilder has no hesitation in calling the Zhang fight a “must-win” and said he accepts the pressure that comes with it. And nothing short of a tense shootout is expected between the aging sluggers, given the size and strength that the 6-foot-5 lefty Zhang brings to the table.

Zhang was long considered just a heavyweight project, until a late career move to trainer Shaun George helped the China native find another level in his game. Although Zhang suffered his first professional defeat in a narrow defeat to Filip Hrgovic in 2021, he bounced back instantly with two knockouts against undefeated Joe Joyce to announce himself as a legitimate contender.

“I like his style. [Zhang] he’s a good puncher,” Wilder said. “I like everything about him, and that’s why I smile when I hear that name, ‘Big Bang’ Zhang. I love that name, but when we get in the ring, I don’t like it at all. This is how my switch will change. I can’t wait for the fight. I love being in a good action fight, it’s like a good action movie. I love the thrill and suspense of it.”

Wilder remains a slight underdog in betting against Zhang due to his inactivity and recent poor performance. But even though Zhang is a proven skilled boxer with legitimate knockout power in his left hand, he has a history of fading late in the championship rounds, where Wilder has historically carried his power.

And for “Old Wilder” to appear in place of the “old Wilder” who fought on Saudi Arabian soil in December, the threat of his dominant right hand will have to make its presence known early and often.

“If I hit this in the flesh of any face, be it human, animal or alien, something is going to happen,” Wilder said. “I have been blessed with the gift of power and God has blessed me tremendously. I will no longer change who I am to please others, but only to please myself, because God has blessed me with the ability and talent to be different and unique. .”