Deontay Wilder explains why he decided not to retire from boxing

Heavyweight boxing star Deontay Wilder has explained why he decided against retiring from the sport.

For so many years, Deontay Wilder was viewed as one of the scariest power punchers in the history of professional boxing.

In many ways he still is, with his 41 knockouts across 45 pro fights serving as all the proof you need that this man is special.

Alas, the last couple of years haven’t exactly been kind to ‘The Bronze Bomber’ after he was beaten in consecutive bouts by title rival Tyson Fury – once in early 2020, and then again in late 2021.

Read more: Tyson Fury vs Deontay Wilder 3: Gypsy King seals trilogy victory

Despite those setbacks, though, the overall accomplishments from Wilder’s career led to him receiving a statue of himself in his hometown of Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

As it turns out, this was the primary catalyst behind him opting to delay retirement at the age of 36.

“I was 85% out and 15% in, and what made me want to continue on doing this is when I was presented that [statue]. To see so many people all over the world, men and women, how they came and joined hand in hand to celebrate with me and my loved ones.”

“With getting the statue, I had to become selfless. I knew that I motivated, I inspired, so many people around the world. Some people take every word I say and they apply it to life, and the only way you become wise is if you apply knowledge to life.”

“To see that for so many people and stuff like that, I can’t give up. I can’t stop now, this is not the end of it. I’ve got to continue to keep going.”

The statue was unveiled to Deontay and his fans in May of this year.

Wilder has made it known that the likes of Andy Ruiz Jr and Oleksandr Usyk are on his hitlist and even though he hasn’t picked up a