Malik Scott Teases Wilder’s Return – ‘The Ability Is There’

Malik Scott says Deontay Wilder should be back in the ring this year
Wilder is experiencing the worst form of his career. He has suffered two losses in a row, losing to Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang. The Parker loss saw Wilder win only a single round on the scorecards. His jab and right hand were largely missing. The defeat meant that the Anthony Joshua bout never happened. They had signed a two-fight deal contingent on Wilder beating Parker. In his post-fight comments, Wilder’s comments showed that he had done ayahuasca, saying he was in a happy place. There were suggestions that Wilder may retire.
But he made his return to face Zhang. It was a bout between two knockout artists. But Wilder was the one on the canvas. This defeat meant that Scott and Wilder only have one win in four fights. Scott came under fire with suggestions he was trying to change Wilder from a KO artist to a boxer. The Bronze Bomber, however, never announced his retirement. He was seen with a sling on his arm, stating he had broken it before the Parker fight. But this was something that he was unaware of, which may have impacted his performance. Scott recognized those were not his best fights.
Scott On Wilder
“The last two guys that he fought are probably two of the toughest guys he’s fought in his career. Zhang is a southpaw, and is big and more imposing. Parker is an above-average fighter that Deontay took after a long layoff. After a long layoff, he’s fighting the best in the world/ What people have a problem with is the performance level. Him not going in there and performing at a certain level.
“We got to see what he wants to do. It’s up to him to see if he wants to have a good year in the division like I know he can. The ability is there. Obviously, the hunger isn’t the same as the first two years after he turned pro because he’s waking up with silk pajamas. He’s getting in that Rolls Royce, and he’s got everything that he came into the game for,” Scott said
What’s Next?
This naturally raises questions over who Wilder could box. There are fights available against Joe Joyce, Derek Chisora and Otto Wallin. Chisora has consistently said he would like to fight Wilder. He will leave the sport after his 50th fight. Chisora has 48 under his belt and will face Otto Wallin on February 8. The winner of that fight could face Wilder. Joyce is an option too.
Joyce was on course for a title shot. But three defeats out of his last four fights have ended those hopes. Zhang stopped him in consecutive fights. A win against Kash Ali followed. But a loss to Chisora in his last bout has pushed him down the pecking order. But Joyce has said he wants a big 2025, meaning a Wilder fight could happen. Scott recognised it was a critical year for Wilder too.
“Yes, I would say definitely. Everything counts now. I wouldn’t say that because of the relationship I have with Deontay. He’s someone that gave me the opportunity when no one would,” Malik said
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