Deontay Wilder has claimed that a number of his heavyweight counterparts have contacted him to convince him not to retire.
The 'Bronze Bomber' has pondered retirement ever since his trilogy defeat to Tyson Fury last year. He initially announced his plans to return to the boxing ring before recently refusing to commit to a decision in his latest interview surrounding his future.
Several options could emerge for Wilder if elects to return to the ring having maintained his status as the WBC's No.1 leading contender. However Wilder has confirmed he would not need to step back in the ring for any financial reasons. "When you don't have that American heavyweight anymore things start to die down," Wilder said when discussing his future during an interview with Premier Boxing Champions.
"I have even had other fighters in the heavyweight division reach out and say 'hey champ the division is not the same without you, we need our champ back'. So many have sent messages including people that know me, saying boxing is dead and it is boring without him. I'm definitely considering coming back. This is something that we're trying to figure out and get things situated.
"I just felt a re-boost for my career and coming back for the people. I never have to return to boxing again in my life, I have set my life up and as I was running my career I dictated how I want things to go. And as I went along I made a series of smart investments and I don't ever have to return again."
Several options have cropped up for Wilder in recent weeks following his prior confirmation that he would return to the ring. Wilder is understood to be interested in finally settling his long-term rivalry with Anthony Joshua if he makes a comeback, having missed out on the fight several times.
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Wilder hasn't won a fight since 2019 when he defended his title against Dominic Brezeale but would likely accept a tune-up fight to begin a rekindled title charge. A variety of different opponents have thrown themselves into the mix to fight Wilder including Andy Ruiz and Joseph Parker.
However boxing promoter Dmitry Salita believes his charge Otto Wallin would be the perfect opponent for his heavyweight return. " Deontay Wilder is the perfect opponent for Otto Wallin because Otto gave Tyson Fury the toughest fight of his career. That is the fact," Salita told Vegas Insider. "Deontay Wilder had a memorable trilogy with Tyson Fury. He lost twice and drew.
"And if Wilder wants to prove that he is truly on his way back to stardom there's no better person for him to fight with to prove he's serious about being back on top then Otto. The perfect situation would be Deontay Wilder fighting Otto Wallin for the WBC interim world title as Tyson Fury announced his retirement and is really unsure from what I understand what his boxing plans may or may not be."
