26 December 2023 , 12:35
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Deontay Wilder has claimed he had problems heading into his fight with Joseph Parker - after spending too long in a cryotherapy chamber.
Wilder was hoping a win against Parker in Saudi Arabia last weekend would set up a highly-anticipated fight against Anthony Joshua, but he failed to keep up his end of the deal and lost a one-sided decision. 'The Bronze Bomber' hadn't fought in over a year and it showed in the fight as he looked sluggish throughout, landing less than 40 punches come the final bell.
It now seems that Wilder may have been injured going into the fight as Queensbury Promotions boss Frank Warren said to talkSPORT: “I was talking to Wilder’s manager Shelly Finkel, he was telling me that he had a problem. I thought he looked pretty dreadful. He went into one of those cryotherapy chambers and sat in it for quite a long time. I don’t know, Obviously, there’s going to be some excuse.”
Who should Deontay Wilder fight next after his loss to Joseph Parker? Let us know in the comments section below
Joshua is expected to fight Filip Hrgovic for a world title next as his two-fight deal with Wilder is seemingly off the table. Both Wilder and Joshua have insisted they still want to fight each other, with the American also claiming that his loss to Parker played a big part in Joshua's stunning performance against Otto Wallin.
Eddie Hearn says Anthony Joshua is 'nailed on' to fight Fury or Wilder this year
"It was a lack of activity and my timing was off because of that. I'm so disappointed because I know I'm a way better fighter than [Parker] but everything wasn't aligned for me. I had such a great training camp with good sparring partners, then when I got in the ring everything was off," Wilder told 78SportsTV.
"My mind and my focus was off, certain shots I landed hurt him a few times. When I smell blood, I'm the man who jumps on you but I didn't do that. It was hesitation and I couldn't understand why, my mind was telling me to do it but my body wouldn't react. This was his fourth fight in a year and I was coming back after a year.
"My timing just blinked out when I got in the ring for some reason, it's something that we will correct and get right. No matter what happened or people say, I'm blessed and I'm in a great position in my mind and soul. I've got to find that killer instinct back though because I'm too at peace and happy."