Lennox Lewis Advises Deontay Wilder to Stay True to His Words

Deontay Wilder, the former World Boxing Council (WBC) heavyweight champion, has faced criticism for his recent performances in the boxing ring. In his last few bouts, Wilder has shown signs of perplexity, underconfidence, and reluctance in the squared circle. This is a significant departure from his earlier days when he was known for his devastating knockout power and fearsome presence in the division.

Wilder's most recent fight was against the Chinese boxer Zhilei Zhang on October 15, 2022. The bout took place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The fight was a non-title bout, but it was an opportunity for Wilder to reassert his dominance in the heavyweight division. However, the fight did not go as planned for the American boxer.

According to reports from various boxing news outlets, including ESPN and BoxingScene, Wilder appeared hesitant throughout the fight. He was unable to land his signature right hand, which is known for its devastating power. Instead, he relied on jabs and feints, which were not enough to deter the determined Zhang. In the end, the judges scored the fight in favor of Zhang, handing Wilder his fourth loss in his last five fights.

The defeat has left many boxing fans and experts questioning Wilder's future in the sport. Some have suggested that the 37-year-old boxer may be past his prime, while others have called for him to retire gracefully. However, one voice of reason has come from a former heavyweight champion himself - Lennox Lewis.

Lewis, who held the heavyweight title from 1997 to 2003, took to social media to offer some advice to Wilder. In a post on his Instagram account, Lewis wrote, "Stay true to your words Deontay. You said you were going to retire if you lost to Fury, but you didn't. You said you were going to retire if you lost to Usyk, but you didn't. So now what? You've lost four out of your last five fights. It's time to make a decision."

Lewis went on to say that Wilder should not let the pressure of the sport get to him and that he should focus on his family and his health. "Boxing is a tough sport, and it's easy to get lost in the hype and the money," Lewis wrote. "But at the end of the day, it's important to remember what's truly important - your family, your health, and your legacy."

Wilder has yet to respond to Lewis' advice, but many boxing fans believe that it is exactly what the American boxer needs to hear. With his career in limbo and his future uncertain, Wilder will need to make some tough decisions in the coming months. Whether he chooses to retire or continue fighting remains to be seen, but one thing is clear - he will always have the support of boxing legends like Lennox Lewis.