DEONTAY WILDER will NOT retire after his gruelling loss to Tyson Fury – with the motivation to return by May 2022.
The likes of Anthony Joshua are among the targets next year “no matter” the result of AJ’s rematch with Oleksandr Usyk.
Wilder has no plans to call it quits on his career as his co-manager Shelly Finkel revealed what will motivate him ahead of a comeback.
Finkel told SunSport: “My gut says the big fights. It’s not on the drawing board now, but he would love to get Fury back again.
“But again, it’s early and we have to get through Usyk and Joshua and see a couple of other possibilities.
“It’s a massive fight [Wilder vs Joshua], no matter what happens in the Joshua – Usyk fight.
“And I’m not sure that Usyk, even with his great skills, will be able to deal with the size of Fury.”
Wilder, 35, was brutally knocked out by Fury, 33, in round 11 of their trilogy bout – but only after twice flooring his British rival in one of the best heavyweight fights ever.
But it was there that the American, who carried 41 knockouts into the fight, broke one of the most lethal right hands in boxing history.
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As a result, he will go under the knife next week after returning home to Alabama following the Las Vegas epic.
Finkel said: “Deontay broke his right hand behind the third knuckle and he has to have that fixed next week.
“He has to have surgery, the knuckle is OK, it’s the bone behind the knuckle that broke. He’s sore but he was OK, he was home yesterday.”
Wilder blamed his rematch loss to Fury last year on everything but a masterclass from the Gypsy King, who he initially drew with in 2018.
His excuses, which were stuck by but never proven, ranged from Fury fighting with WEIGHTS in his gloves and his water being SPIKED.
After the hand surgery he’ll probably look to enter the ring mid next year, like April or May.
Deontay Wilder’s manager Shelly Finkel
But after 11 thrilling rounds in their trilogy decider, Wilder’s reputation has been restored, despite failing to reclaim the WBC title.
With close to £50million earned from his three fights with Fury alone, the former WBC champion will only be returning to the ring for the biggest nights possible.
And that includes with AJ, who Wilder failed to agree terms with from 2018-2019.
Joshua, 31, has recently invoked his right to an immediate rematch with Oleksandr Usyk, 34, who dethroned the Londoner in September.
But win or lose, Wilder will await the two-time champion with a return planned for next summer.
Finkel said: “He’s healing and at this point, if everything is OK.
“After the hand surgery he’ll probably look to enter the ring mid next year, like April or May.”
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
