DEONTAY WILDER will return to the ring this year in another bid to reclaim the WBC heavyweight title.
The American’s five-year reign as WBC king was ended in 2020 by Tyson Fury, who flatlined him in the penultimate round of their trilogy fight last October.
Wilder hasn’t set foot inside the ring since his second consecutive pasting at the hands of the Gypsy King, but WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman expects that to soon change.
The head of the Mexican boxing organisation told Sky Sports: “He’s taking it easy.
“He’s weighing up his plans for the future, he had a very busy reign as a champion, two knockout losses to Fury, difficult but he’s matured and he’s doing very well.
“He’s having a good time with his wife, he’s enjoying life but I’m sure he’ll be back.
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“He’s one of those fighters that you rarely see in the ring that has the ability to knock somebody out with one punch and he has had many exciting fights.
“He’s a great fighter and great person. I’m sure he will fight this year.”
Wilder, 36, teased retirement a few weeks after his second consecutive loss to Fury, telling comedian Kevin Hart: “It’s mixed feelings because ultimately I have accomplished all my goals in this sport
“I told my daughter when she was one that I’d be a champion and I’d be able to support her beyond her belief.
GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED“I’ve done that. There are a lot of things that I’ve accomplished that I don’t feel I have to prove to anyone because I’ve already proven [myself].
“Should I push forward? Should I give it a go one more time?
“Or should I just retire and focus on the other things that I already have, other things that I want to get into?”
Former foe Fury wants to see Wilder return to the ring and fight for the WBC strap once he’s vacated it.
He told Behind The Gloves: “I’d like to see Deontay Wilder fight whoever for it again.
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“I don’t know how that’s [Wilder being No.1 in the WBC rankings] even possible. He’s lost three fights in a row and still No.1-rated.
“But that’s up to them.”
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