As His Career Stagnates, Deontay Wilder Is Left With Only One Bout Option.

Deontay Wilder will have been out of commission for a whole year, this is only the second time in his career that this has occurred. The first was  brought on by the state of affairs in the world amid curfews and lockdowns. Twenty months after their rematch, in October 2021, Wilder faced Tyson Fury for a third time.

This time, Wilder's delay has a very definite air of retirement. In May 2022, Wilder postponed retiring during a speech to dedicate a statue in his hometown.

He pledged to engage in activity and provide the supporters with the desired bouts. Five months later, after meeting Robert Helenius, none of what he said has subsequently happened.

“I can’t stop right here. But I must continue my journey. I have to, I have to,” said Wilder in media reports. “I’m looking to resume my career for sure.

“I’ve got a lot of other things I’ve got to get out of the way. I’m taking away from my children if I come back. Because now I can enjoy my life fully like I want to,” said Wilder in media reports.

Between the second and third Fury fights, he took a break that undoubtedly affected his perspective.

For seven years, Wilder has made an effort to get Antony Joshua to fight. When they get near, it always seems to fall apart.

Eddie Hearn, AJ's promoter, seems to change his mind about the fight every day. His most recent change of heart was that his man might fight Filip Hrgovic instead.

Hearn assured supporters that the Wilder fight would "100% be done in the first half of 2024" just one day before he decided to switch to Joshua vs. Hrgovic.