Deontay Wilder claims 'boxing dies' when it doesn't have an American champion

Deontay Wilder has been trying to create some hype and interest around his comeback.

His stock has been lowered significantly following his two comprehensive defeats to Tyson Fury. The first two losses of his professional career.

Perhaps he is angling for a fourth instalment of the Wilder v Fury story. Fury talks of retirement but there aren’t too many that believe him. A fourth fight against Wilder will be low on his list of priorities.

The fight that the British audience are clamouring for is the long awaiting Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua fight.

If that is to happen first Joshua must get past Oleksandr Usyk in their rematch. Defeat for Joshua and that could mean curtains for the Fury fight, and would leave Usyk in prime position for a unification bout against Fury.

In the meantime, Wilder needs to get some fights and wins under his belt. Whilst trying to build some hype and momentum to push for a title shot further down the line.

Be that against the winner of the Fury/Usyk/Joshua triangle. Or perhaps Fury will tire of the fight game and retire leaving the belts vacant and offer Wilder his route back to heavyweight champion.

Wilder attempts to speak for the entire boxing community and their need for a US champion.

He states, per the Express: “One thing about boxing that I’ve proved is that boxing thrives off of the excitement. But the excitement of an American champion. Once that dies, so does boxing.”

A nice bit of American exceptionalism doesn’t go down terrifically with the global boxing audience.

Tyson Fury is a level above the rest of the heavyweight division both in terms of ability, and draw and Wilder knows that.

Wilder has made a good living out of boxing and has no financial need to return to the ring.