Deontay Wilder has admitted he is still considering a heavyweight comeback despite his previous claim he would return to the ring.
The 'Bronze Bomber' suffered a second consecutive defeat to Tyson Fury in their trilogy bout last year which left his future in the sport uncertain. He recently claimed that he would return to the ring after considering retirement for several months, in a bid to chase unfinished business.
However Wilder has now claimed he is still trying to "figure out" a route to a boxing comeback, and has even suggested that other heavyweight stars have contacted him over a return. "I'm definitely considering coming back," Wilder said when discussing his future during an interview with Premier Boxing Champions. "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 am living proof of this is what people are waiting to see right now, and when you don't have that heavyweight there no more clean star dies down. I have even had guys in the heavyweight division reach out and say 'champ we need our heavyweight champ back'. I hear this all the time from a lot of top people inside and outside of boxing.
"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."
Wilder could put himself right back into title contention if he elects to make a comeback, having currently maintained his No.1 contender ranking with the WBC. The organisation's president Mauricio Sulaiman has even suggested that he would be willing to put the star in a four-man tournament to decide the challenger to Fury's belt.
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The 36-year-old was yet to be defeated prior to fighting Fury three times, but could have several options upon his return including a lucrative future bout with Anthony Joshua. Joseph Parker and Andy Ruiz Jr have also stated their claim to a potential meeting with Wilder, who may prefer a challenge to the world titles after a warm-up fight.
Wilder's three-time rival Fury believes that the 'Bronze Bomber' has suffered lasting damage from their trilogy fight and should follow himself by hanging up his gloves. "He is a very dangerous fighter and I think he will knock anybody out if he hits them in the face," Fury told Queensberry Promotions. "But I don't know what is left in his tank.
"He has been absolutely destroyed mentally, physically and emotionally, and I would say he is a wreck at the moment. He has had a cracked jaw, a cracked skull, been knocked out cold twice and it is a tough comeback for him. I wouldn't like to see him carry on because I know he doesn't need the money."
