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Boxing fans have slammed Ring Magazine’s decision to keep hard-hitter Deontay Wilder in their Top 10 rankings despite his recent defeat to Joseph Parker.
‘The Bronze Bomber’ has only fought twice since his trilogy defeat to Tyson Fury back in 2021 – and fans believe that the American should call it a career.
Joseph Parker shocked the world by beating Wilder to a unanimous points victory in Saudi Arabia.
Their heavyweight clash went all 12 rounds on December 23, with the judges scoring the bout 118-111, 120-108, 120-108 in the Kiwi’s favour.
Wilder was asked if he did enough to beat Parker, saying: ‘Yeah I did, but my timing was off a little bit. He did a great job avoiding my punches, we make no excuses tonight.’
The 38-year-old is now 1-3 in his last four outings and it looks as if his future is up in the air following yet another defeat.
In Ring Magazine’s updated heavyweight rankings after the ‘Day of Reckoning’ card in Saudi Arabia, Wilder sits ninth despite his recent dip in form – much to the surprise of many fans.
‘Wilder should disappear from the list,’ one boxing fan commented.
Another user wrote: ‘Wilder shouldn’t even be on this list honestly.’
While a third commented: ‘Take Wilder off this list, he ain’t a top 10 heavyweight no more’
Daniel Dubois impressed many following his late finish against Jarrell Miller on the same night, with some fans claiming he should be in the Top 10 – ahead of Wilder.
‘Take Wilder out, put Dubois there,’ one fan wrote.
‘Where Dubois? He should be 6/7,’ another wrote.
A third commented: ‘@DynamiteDubois should be in that list. Got robbed against @usykaa and smashed up that big fat guy on the 23rd.’
Despite many praising Dubois, Wilder has dominated the discussion following the recent update: ‘Don’t think Wilder should even be on there after his performance. Aside from that solid list.’
‘One loss and he drops to 9 they couldn’t wait lol,’ another wrote.
Following his defeat to Parker, Wilder insists he still wants to face Anthony Joshua next.
Wilder and Joshua fought in separate bouts on the ‘Day of Reckoning’ card, with the pair due to finally face each other on March 9 if they won their respective fights. Joshua would go on to stop Otto Wallin after five rounds, but the American’s defeat to Parker may have put to bed a potential Joshua vs Wilder showdown.
‘They really don’t want that fight. When I lost, did you see how happy he was coming out?’ Wilder told 78SPORTSTV.
‘He was like, “I ain’t gotta fight Wilder”. The rumour was he was talking about retiring if I won… March 9th, the fight still can go on. But this is a perfect way for them to get out.’
