Deontay Wilder faces a huge decision when it comes to what happens next in his boxing career.
Wilder was knocked out in the fifth round by Zhilei Zhang in the final fight of the Queensberry vs. Matchroom 5v5 card this past weekend, and now there are calls for the former WBC heavyweight champion to retire.
Since knocking out Robert Helenius in the first round of their contest in 2022, Wilder has not looked the same fighter and in his two most recent losses to Joseph Parker and Zhang, the "Bronze Bomber" has struggled to throw the thumping right hand which made him one of boxing's most exciting fighters.
Gary Wilder, Deontay's father, claims to know why his son is looking a shadow of his former self and has called for Malik Scott to be relieved of his duties as head trainer.
"You need somebody you’re going to respect. You don't need a buddy to train you,’’ Wilder told USA TODAY Sports.
"Deontay’s always been a slugger.
“Now Malik’s trying to train him to be a boxer, and if you look at it, you’ll see that Deontay is not comfortable with where he's at. As long as he tries to be a boxer, he’s not going to win.
“That’s the bottom line.’’
Scott first linked up with Deontay Wilder in 2021 for the third Tyson Fury fight, but this relationship has struggled to bring much success with just one win in the four fights they have spent working together.
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