11 September 2023 , 12:18
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Deontay Wilder has declared he will hang up the gloves within the next three years after a lengthy career as one of the heavyweight division's top stars.
The former world champion has only lost to one man - his nemesis Tyson Fury won both of their rematches after an initial draw - but wants to take a few more mega-fights before he calls it quits. And he has now made his timeframe clear for retirement, saying he has three more years left in him.
Talks are currently underway for a huge Saudi Arabian showdown between he and fellow ex-champion Anthony Joshua, with the bout earmarked for early next year. And the winner is expected to get a shot at either Fury or his fellow title holder Oleksandr Usyk after the fact.
Asked by Frenzee Broadcasting how long he can keep fighting, Wilder replied; “I think I’ve got three more years left. I’m going to bless the world my last three years with some of the best fights they ever seen, the people they want. As long as they don’t run. We got them.”
Wilder was criticised for not taking on heavyweight's biggest names during his dominant run to and with the WBC belt where he knocked out every single opponent he faced. But after three wars with Fury, the first of which was a controversial draw in Los Angeles, there is still appetite for him to get in with the sport's top stars.
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The Alabama native is known as one of the most fearsome punchers in the history of combat sport, and asked if he feels there is anyone 'ducking' a fight with him, he replied "A lot of them. You talk about power, right? When you're in the business that I'm in and you're up against somebody that has power you worry about the consequences that's going to happen after.
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"Money is good, but you got to enjoy it and if you make the money but can't enjoy it then people think differently. I've had a lot of people run throughout my career because of the power I possess. Of course we have to say things; certain guys put it out there to make it seem like they aren't running, they're not a coward, they're not scared.
"Of course the promoters, managers, even themselves will put out emotional garbage, throwing jabs, saying certain things to keep it like that. But in reality, in life, they're scared. I've got a lot of guys right now we could have made great money but they dodged it.
"They don't know I know but in this business it's just - they know who they are, deep down, they know. But it's all good because at this moment in time no one is safe. All of the great fighters will get it before the end of my career."