DEONTAY WILDER is eyeing a ‘spring or early summer’ return to the ring following his second defeat to Tyson Fury.
The former WBC heavyweight champ was slapped with a six-month medical suspension following his brutal 11th-round KO defeat to the Gypsy King in Las Vegas last weekend.
And The Bronze Bomber plans to get back in the ring as soon his period of ineligibilty is over.
The American’s promoter Shelly Finkel told ESPN: “He’ll fight sometime in the spring or early summer as long as he’s healthy and he’s good and he’s up to it.
“He’s still in pain with the hand and his equilibrium was off, somewhere around the third round (Fury connected behind the ear), that’s why his balance wasn’t the same.
“He feels he trained so hard and then the two incidents — no disrespect at all to Fury — he put in all that effort and wasn’t able to fight him healthy.”
Finkel exclusively revealed to SunSport this week that the 35-year-old is targeting a May return to the squared circle.
He said: “He’s sore but he was OK, he was home yesterday.
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“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.”
Wilder was involved in a sour encounter with Fury immediately after their epic trilogy fight, refusing to show his rival any respect.
But the Olympic bronze medallist finally gave the Brit his just dues in a classy Instagram post on Thursday.
He wrote: “Wow, what a hell of a night!
“I would like to first and foremost thank God for allowing me to give the world another part of me that’s driven with passion and determination.
Deontay Wilder’s manager, Shelly Finkel
“I would like to thank my team and my fans for sticking by my side through this long process.
“I would be lying if I said that I wasn’t disappointed in the outcome but after reflecting on my journey, I now see that what God wanted me to experience is far greater than what I expected to happen.
“We didn’t get the win but a wise man once said the victories are within the lessons. I’ve learned that sometimes you have to lose to win.
“Although, I wanted the win I enjoyed seeing the fans win even more.
“Hopefully, I proved that I am a true Warrior and a true King in this sport.
“Hopefully, WE proved that no matter how hard you get hit with trials and tribulations you can always pick yourself up to live and fight again for what you believe in.
“Last but not least I would like to congratulate @gypsyking101 for his victory and thank you for the great historical memories that will last forever.”
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Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk