Could the Bronze Bomber have Sunk Klitschko?
Deontay Wilder is set for a big fight on December 23rd, 2023 as he fights against Joseph Parker on the Day of Reckoning Card in the co-main event of the evening. While he might be considered the favorite in this match, after his trilogy series with Tyson Fury, many believe he’s not the fighter he used to be, begging the question, was he ever one of the great heavyweights, you know, like Wladimir Klitschko?
Wilder Wants to Rebuild Career
Boxing news websites rejoiced when the speculation roared that Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder would be fighting on the same night…only to be let down that the pair wouldn’t be squaring off against one another. Both men are on something of a comeback trail, having lost their world title belts to Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury, respectively.
Wilder was unwavering in his belief that he would come out as the better man against Fury but never proved his point as he lost two fights and drew the first encounter. As such, he endured a great fall from the top of the pedestal he planted himself on. His first win on his comeback campaign was in October 2022 when he defeated Robert Helenius. 13 months on, he’s got a much more reputable opponent in former world championship contender Joseph Parker. If Wilder can defeat the Kiwi boxer, then it’s full steam ahead for a comeback, but if he stumbles, then questions will be asked whether he can still cut it at the top of the heavyweight division.
Given that Anthony Joshua is in almost the same boat, having also defeated lower-grade opposition, Jermaine Franklin and also Robert Helenius, both boxer’s promoters might have pulled the plug on the pair meeting with the risk that the winner might never recover their form.
What Does it Take to be a Heavyweight Legend?
Online boxing news outlets continually quarrel over the definition of a heavyweight boxing legend. It’s not just about winning the title belt; that simply makes someone a champion. That’s still a great accolade, but to be a legend at this level, champions must defend the belt numerous times and leave no doubt that they conquered the division for an extended period. Wladimir Klitschko undoubtedly did this as he held world titles from 2005, as part of a 21-match winning streak. Is he a legend of the heavyweight division? Most boxing fans would be inclined to say yes. He did, however, have an easier run at the division, having never fought his elder brother and not being part of the congested contemporary heavyweight rankings.
Wilder became one of the most popular heavyweights by winning 42 of his 43 fights by knockout. His incredible punch power led him to win the WBC heavyweight championship and defend it in 10 consecutive matches, tying a record held by Muhammad Ali. Does that give him legend status, sort of? The problem for Wilder is that his wins haven’t tested the top division of fighters and when he did fight another elite competitor, Tyson Fury, he couldn’t beat him.
How would Wilder-Klitschko Play Out?
Deontay Wilder would approach this fight like all of his prior bouts: go for the knockout win. While trying to knock down the big Ukrainian might seem like a tall task on paper, he was defeated four times this way and only once by decision, meaning it might be in Wilder’s interests to try to end the fight early. Klitschko would probably try to emulate the same plan, as it would be a blood-and-thunder-style fight.
Should Wilder Replicate Klitschko’s Exit Strategy?
There are some remarkable parallels and synergies between the careers of both Deontay Wilder and Wladimir Klitschko. The Ukrainian was 39 years old when he lost his fourth-ever fight to Tyson Fury, dropping multiple world titles in the process. After Fury temporarily stepped away from the sport, Klitschko was tempted by another shot at the championship, this time against Anthony Joshua, now aged 41. He famously endured a TKO loss as yet another British fighter defeated the boxing legend. That was it for Klitschko, as he didn’t want to continue fighting anymore, knowing full well he couldn’t compete with the emerging generations.
Should Wilder follow suit at this point? After all, he is 38 years old now and suffered two losses (and a draw) against Tyson Fury. He’s still got the punch power as he knocked out Robert Helenius in the very first round in his big comeback fight in 2022. Yet, nobody expected the Swedish fighter to last – and the result doesn’t carry much weight other than bumping him up to 32-5. If he can’t get past Joseph Parker, then Wilder should seriously think about giving up. Much like Klitschko, nobody could take away the awesome career he’s already had, and he gets to hold his head up, having not sunk too low down the ranks.
Could This Fight Have Ever happened?
Wladimir Klitschko started fighting in 1996 and had a 20+ year career before hanging up gloves in 2017 after he lost to Anthony Joshua at the age of 41. Given that Deontay Wilder had his professional debut back in 2008, there was a good nine-year window where these two could have met in the ring. Granted, Klitschko was already stratospherically popular when Wilder stepped into the ring, but the American earned his first world title in 2015, meaning there was at least a year or two where this fight could have been booked.
Ahead of Wilder’s fight with Jason Gavern in 2014, he told the Boxing Observer that he wanted to fight either Tyson Fury or Klitschko. As history told us, he ended up fighting the British boxer much later and endured a trilogy series with him. We can only speculate on the different career trajectories for both fighters if Wilder’s team had been able to book this fight instead.
There is one capacity in which the two men could still meet. Klitschko has long enjoyed playing golf in his free time and participated in numerous tournaments, having enjoyed success in some events in Scotland. Wilder might not be as passionate but has often participated in charity exhibition golf events and uses it as a way to destress. Could they tee off together?
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